Thursday, July 20, 2017
by Western Washington Athletic Communications

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Former Western Washington University women’s soccer standout Caitlyn Jobanek has been selected to play for the USA Women’s Soccer Team that will travel to the 2017 World University Games in Taipei.

Jobanek, is part of a 16-member squad from 14 different universities across the country that will compete in the 2017 Summer Universiade. Former legendary Seattle Pacific University head coach Cliff McGrath will serve as the head coach. Jobanek is the only Division II player on the 16-player roster.

"I am honored to continue my soccer career and represent our country at the World University Games,” said Jobanek. “I had a wonderful experience at Western Washington University where I received so much support from my coaches, my teammates and the fans. This opportunity would not be possible without my experiences at WWU."

Jobanek had a standout career with the Vikings, appearing in 91 career matches while scoring 47 points (17 goals, 13 assists). She punctuated her career helping lead the Vikings to the 2016 NCAA Division II National Championship with a 24-0-1 record, scoring a pair of goals in the 3-2 victory over Grand Valley State in the title game. Jobanek was part of the WWU program that went 81-5-7 during her four years in Bellingham (.909 winning pct.) and played in three NCAA II Final Fours. She was named the Offensive MVP of the 2016 NCAA II Soccer Championships, the 2015 GNAC Tournament Most Valuable Player and was named an honorable mention All-American in 2016.

“We are excited for Caitlyn. Representing your country at a competition like this is a once in a lifetime experience,” said WWU head coach Travis Connell. “Her years of hard work and determination are paying off. I know she will make the most of this opportunity.”

The World University Games, also known as the Universiade, are an international sports competition held every two years and hosted by different countries. The World University Games comprise a summer and winter games held in the same year, and is second only in importance to the Olympics. The 29th Summer World University Games will be held this summer in Taipei, Aug. 19-30, with over 120 countries competing in 22 sports.

Women’s soccer competition begins Friday, Aug. 18 with the United States competing in Group A with host-country Chinese Taipei, South Korea, and Argentina. The competition features four groups and 13 countries represented in total. The American side will face South Korea in their opening game with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) at New Taipei City Xinzhuang Stadium. The United States will face Chinese Taipei in its second game, Sunday, Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. (7:30 a.m. ET) at Fu Jen Catholic University Stadium. The final round of the group stage will feature the U.S. versus Argentina at New Taipei City Xinzhuang Stadium on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. (7:30 a.m. ET). The complete schedule can be found online at USATeam.org.

Competition will continue Thursday, August 24 with quarterfinal action. Semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26 with the gold and bronze medal games held Monday, Aug. 28 at Fu Jen Catholic University Stadium.

The USA team will stay in the Athletes’ Village, participate in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and interact with over 5,000 student-athletes from around the world.

American fans hoping to watch the games live will have to manage the 12-hour time difference between the U.S. East Coast and Taipei. The opening ceremony will begin at 4 a.m. PT, Saturday, Aug. 19 with the closing ceremony taking place at 4:30 a.m. PT, Wednesday, Aug. 30. Both events will stream live at www.livefisu.tv. The streaming schedule for competition has not been released.