Rose Lavelle has become a player that the U.S. Women's National Team has relied upon at the World Cup, and University of Wisconsin coach Paula Wilkins said she has experience with that role from her time with the Badgers.
Hailey Baumann is coming off of a strong freshman season with the University of Wisconsin women's soccer team, but she knows she'll have her work cut out for her when she takes the pitch with the nation's top players in her age group starting Sunday in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The Badgers defender was one of 24 players from across the country selected to attend the first U.S. Under-19 Women's Youth National Team camp of the year, and she's not taking the opportunity lightly.
The South Lyon, Michigan, native was named to the All-Big Ten third team and All-Big Ten freshman team after helping Wisconsin hold opponents to 0.65 goals per game last season.
“Playing for your country, and representing your country, is the biggest honor you can have as an athlete so I’m super excited for this opportunity," Baumann said. "When I go to these kinds of things I learn a lot from them and I grow so much as a player and I’m able to kind of bring what I’ve learned back to wherever I’m playing at the time and kind of raise the level of whatever team I’m on. It’s a great learning experience and I’m excited.”
The Under-19 squad, which is comprised of players born on or after Jan. 1, 2005, will be led by coach Carrie Kveton, who chose 11 players born in 2005 and 13 born in 2006.
Baumann, one of eight defenders selected for the pool of players that will have a chance to compete in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup this September in Colombia, knows the experience will benefit her — on and off the playing field.
“I think it’s just one of the best environments you can play in," Baumann said. "As a player you’re surrounded by amazing players from around the country, you get to meet new people, the coaches are top notch.
"So I’m looking forward to meeting everyone, learning from them, growing and hopefully doing well and continuing in the (national team) system.”
A key member of the Badgers defense last season, Baumann started 22 of a possible 23 games while helping the Badgers reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament and finish with a 14-5-4 record.
Baumann, who logged the fourth-most minutes for Wisconsin last season, is looking forward to showcasing what she's learned during her first season with the Badgers to a wider audience.
“Ever since I’ve gotten (to Madison), I’ve grown so much as a player, just learning from (Badgers coach) Paula (Wilkins) and everything,” Baumann said. “Obviously representing Wisconsin is also really important to me so I’m excited I’m able to do that.”
Despite turning in a strong freshman season and earning Big Ten accolades, Baumann said it was being called up to the Under-19 National Team that served as a clear indicator she's on the right track in her development.
“I think just getting called into (the camp) gives me reassurance that what I’m doing is working," Baumann said. "And like I said, I’ll learn a lot from this camp, grow as both a player and a person and hopefully bring back everything I learned and kind of raise the level here, bring that back and make the players around me better.”
Baumann is one of just two Big Ten players named to the 24-player roster, with Penn State goalkeeper and fellow Michigan native Kealey Titmuss the other player.
The roster includes 10 college athletes representing seven schools along with 14 youth club players, with Kveton choosing to carry six forwards, seven midfielders and three goalies in addition to the eight defenders.
Goalkeepers: Sonoma Kasica (Florida Premier FC; St. Petersburg, Florida), Victoria Safradin (Virginia; Eastlake, Ohio), Kealey Titmuss (Penn State; Grand Blanc, Michigan).
Defenders: Aven Alvarez (North Carolina Courage; New Hill, North Carolina), Hailey Baumann (Wisconsin; South Lyon, Michigan), Elizabeth Boamah (San Diego Surf SC; San Diego, California), Nicki Fraser (Real Colorado; Highlands Ranch, Colorado), Reese Klein (Florida United SC; Cooper City, Florida), Cameron Roller (Duke; Sherman, Texas), Sammy Smith (Boise Timbers Thorns FC; Boise, Idaho), Kiera Staude (Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia).
Midfielders: Mia Bhuta (Stanford; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), Kendall Bodak (Clemson; Monson, Massachusetts), Izzy Engle (Minnesota Thunder; Edina, Minnesota), Joelle Jung (Stanford; San Jose, California), Charlotte Kohler (MVLA SC; Woodside, California), Grace Restovich (St. Louis Scott Gallagher; St. Louis, Missouri), Linda Ullmark (Western New York Flash; Buffalo, New York).
Forwards: Katie Shea Collins (Tennessee SC; Gallatin, Tennessee), Erica Grilione (Stanford; Roseville, California), Ava McDonald (FC Dallas; Allen, Texas), Miri O'Donnell (FC Bay Area Surf; San Ramon, California), Mia Oliaro (Duke; Chapel Hill, North Carolina), Amalia Villarreal (Michigan Jaguars FC; Lansing, Michigan).
Photos: Former Wisconsin star Rose Lavelle with the US Women's National Team
Wisconsin's Hailey Baumann, left, high-fives goalkeeper Erin McKinney after converting during the penalty kick shootout of a Big Ten Tournament matchup against Rutgers on Oct. 29, 2023, in Madison. Baumann will represent the Badgers when she travels to Florida for the first U.S. Under-19 Women's Youth National Team camp of the year.