LA JOLLA, Calif. – Itzel Gonzalez, a 2016 alumna of the UC San Diego women's soccer team, has earned a spot on the Mexico Women's National Team. This is the second time in Gonzalez's career that she has earned a National Team selection. Previously, she received a call up in early 2019.
 
Gonzalez is playing under the new head coach of the squad, Mónica Vergara. Vergara, whose role was announced on Jan. 19, was formerly a defender on the Mexico Women's National Team.
 
Gonzalez shared her excitement about earning a spot on the National Team and learning from Vergara.
 
"It's always a great honor to be able to represent my country," Gonzalez said. "This time is extra special because it's the first time there's been a call up since the pandemic started. I take this opportunity with extra responsibility and I'm excited for what the future looks like at the National Team level with Mónica Vergara."
 
During Gonzalez's collegiate career, she competed with the Tritons from 2012-16. Starting all 22 games in her senior season, Gonzalez compiled a 0.50 goals-against average and capped her career with numerous awards, including a D2CCA All-America Third Team accolade.
 
Current Triton head coach Kristin Jones, who served in an associate head coach role during Gonzalez's time at UC San Diego, noted Gonzalez's ambition.
 
"Itzel has always been determined to play at the highest level possible," Jones said. "She takes her training, preparation, and recovery seriously and is a great example to younger generations. I am glad she has been rewarded with this opportunity; it couldn't have happened to a better person. We are all rooting for her."
 
Gonzalez and the rest of the National Team took part in a three-day training camp this week in Mexico City. To see photos from the camp and keep up with the squad's latest news, follow them on Twitter or Instagram.
 
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program begins a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 37 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.