It's been a busy summer for Milton Academy sophomore Talia Dipanfilo; she's spent the last few months traveling from field to field and country to country with cleats and shin pads in hand and soccer on the brain. A member of the Milton girls' varsity soccer team, Talia was recently selected for the Region 1 Olympic Development Under-16 Soccer Team.

The US Youth Soccer Association's Olympic Development Program identifies a pool of players from each age group -- based on four components, technique, tactics, fitness and athletic ability, and attitude - from which a National Team will be selected for international competition. Talia competed with over 500 girls from the East Coast and their various State ODP teams at the University of Rhode Island for one of 32 spots on the regional team. Besides training for Milton's fall soccer schedule,Talia will spend the next few months gearing up for the National ODP Camps later this fall where she will be evaluated by the best coaches in the country.

Excited about the wonderful opportunities that lie before her, she is aware that the national camps will be grueling, as she described the regional camps as the most difficult thing she has ever faced, both physically and emotionally. A versatile player, Talia plays midfield for the Mustangs, works hard as a defender on her ODP State Team, and was asked to travel to Europe this summer as a forward with the Kicks Soccer Club. Talia also plays for the Spirit of Massachusetts Soccer Club.