UCLA women's soccer player Ashley Sanchez has been chosen as the USA team's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the World University Games in Naples, Italy July 3.

Sanchez, a rising junior from Monrovia, Calif., represented the U.S. at the 2018 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and in 2016, she made history by becoming the first U.S. player ever to play in two World Cups in a year, captaining the U.S. at the U-17 tournament and then playing in the U-20 World Cup a month later. Sanchez also spent time with the full U.S. Women's National Team at a training camp in 2016.

At UCLA, Sanchez earned first-team All-America honors in 2018 after leading the Bruins in all scoring categories with 10 goals, 15 assists and 35 points. She set or tied five school records during her sophomore season, including single-season assists (15), single-game assists (four) and consecutive games with a goal or assist (13 and counting). During her freshman year, she set a school freshman record with 12 assists. In just two seasons at UCLA, Sanchez has totaled 16 goals and 27 assists for 59 points.

"I am really excited" Sanchez said. "I have represented the United States around the world on the US national team, and to be chosen to bear the flag is really special to me."

The World University Games Opening Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, July 3 at 12pm PT and will air on the Olympic Channel and via livestream on www.fisu.tv.

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