Miami Springs forward Abby Carr dreaming big

Miami Springs junior forward Abby Carr is on a mission to become a household name in women's soccer someday.

It might sound like a lofty aspiration, but Carr is already taking the first steps toward making it a reality.

Carr earned one of the 18 spots on the Region Three Olympic Developmental Program team -- the feeder team to the U.S. Junior National team.

She recently orally committed to play at college soccer powerhouse Florida State.

And over the next month, Carr hopes to lead Miami Springs to its second consecutive state final four appearance.

''My goal for soccer is to play on a national team and win a World Cup one day,'' Carr said. ``I'm really focused on that.''

Carr is one of the most highly recruited players in Miami-Dade County. In addition to FSU, Carr has scholarship offers from Florida, North Carolina and Clemson.

''By going to Florida State they offer the best combination of academics and soccer to help me achieve my goal,'' Carr said. ``I just couldn't find anything wrong there.''

MOVING UP THE LADDER

For more than three years, Carr has risen through the ranks of the ODP team. Carr's first step was making the state team and then she was able to advance to a regional pool of 40 girls.

Over the past year, Carr moved up to the Region Three team and has been able to travel with the team, playing in a tournament in Costa Rica, and will make a trip with the squad to Portugal in March.

During the summer, Carr had to go to Alabama to meet with the regional team and try out for a spot on the roster. Carr had to battle with girls from across 11 southern states in hopes that she made the team again. The highly competitive camps pit teams of 11 girls against each other, with coaches and scouts watching from the sidelines. Girls who advance to the next round are asked to stay at the tryouts for an extra three days, while the ones who do not qualify are asked to go home.

''All the camps are highly competitive. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, if you don't play your best you're really going to struggle,'' Carr said. ``You have to do the work at home to make sure when you do go to camp, you're prepared and ready to play.''

Miami Springs (17-0-2) has dominated without Carr for much of this season.

Carr has missed games due to obligations to her club team, Team Boca, and to the ODP team.

''You don't get on a national team without the desire she has,'' Miami Springs coach William Drew said. ``Some girls train three months, others train six months of the year. Carr trains all 12 months.''

MAKING PRESENCE FELT

Carr has played in the past four games and has already made an impact. During the first round of the GMAC tournament Monday, Carr scored three goals and assisted on another in a 5-0 victory against Goleman. Junior midfielder Dallas Carter has taken over as the team captain this season after missing her sophomore season because of a torn ACL.

Carter, who was selected to The Miami Herald's All-Dade First Team during her freshman year, has rebounded from her injury to lead the team with 22 goals and 14 assists.

Carr also missed part of last season due to injury, but was able to return and help the Golden Hawks advance to the state final four for the first time in 20 years. But Springs lost 4-0 to Oviedo in the Class 6A state semifinals.

''The focus really shouldn't be on me, it should go to this team,'' Carr said.