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Benson rejoins Puerto Rican National Team for final Olympic Qualifiers in February
Posted: Dec 07, 2015

Benson rejoins Puerto Rican National Team for final Olympic Qualifiers in February

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Senior Scout Benson (Lynnfield, Mass.) of the Bryant University women's soccer team returns to Smithfield after playing with the Puerto Rican National team in the second round of Olympic Qualifiers.

With Benson's contribution, the Puerto Rican national team has advanced to the final round of Olympic Qualifiers, after defeating Guyana, 1-0, in double overtime. The victory allowed the team to automatically advance to the next round, marking Puerto Rico's farthest push in Olympic qualifying play.

After defeating Guyana, the team moved onto the Caribbean Cup finals, where they fell to Trinidad, 1-0. Despite the loss, Puerto Rico finished as one of the top three teams in the Caribbean, solidifying their place in the final round of Olympic Qualifiers.

For the next series of games, the national team has drawn a pool with the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica with the opportunity to advance to the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

"It's a surreal feeling," said Benson. "Coming this far and helping Puerto Pico make history has been one of the craziest moments in my sports career. Now to know we have an opportunity to play the defending World Champions on an international stage is a rare and exciting opportunity. To be in this position is a huge honor."

The group is filled with tough competition, including the reigning World Cup Champion the United States. Benson will have the opportunity to represent Puerto Rico, while also playing in front of a home crowd.

"It will be a great experience, no matter the outcome," said Benson. "To be playing at this level with people I look up to and in front of my home nation is exciting."

Benson will be joining her teammates in Texas in February as they continue their quest for a place in the 2016 Olympics.

"I have support all around me, which has been the greatest part about this whole experience. Everyone here at Bryant and back home has continuously backed me, which motivates me to keep going."