ORLANDO, Fla. – In the 2016 season, freshman Zandy Soree played 17 games, started in 10, scored one goal, had four assists and was the primary corner kick and set-piece taker.
It's 2017 and now Soree is assisting more than just the Knights who finished 9-8-2. Now she's across the Atlantic, training and playing with the Under-19 Belgium National team, hoping to go far with a spot on the roster that will compete in the UEFA European Championships.
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Earning its first bid ever for the UEFA European Championships, Soree has played in three games within the past month with the team, coming onto the field as a substitute in her first game against Hungary on May 26.
Then Soree earned a starting role in her next two games. After beating Hungary 3-0 in Game one of the Elite round, Soree and the Belgian Red Flames battled and beat the Russians 3-0. In her most recent game, Soree and her team lost a game to Spain in 3-1 fashion.
The Weston, Florida native who holds dual citizenship because her father was born in Belgium, first appeared for Belgium at the international level of soccer at the age of 15.
Making her first appearance on the actual fields for Belgium in the 2014 Under-17 UEFA European Championship Qualifiers in Latvia, Soree has since been called to train with the Under-19 and full Belgian National teams.
"This is truly an amazing experience that will help me grow so much as a player," Soree said in a UCFKnights.com story. "Whether I am playing for my school or playing for my country, I am determined to contribute to the success of each and to give my team everything I have."
Soree and the Knights will return to the fields in August to begin practicing for the 2017-18 campaign. The schedule has yet to be released.