MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - After taking part in training camp sessions and organized tryouts late last month, Penn State Harrisburg women's soccer player Kylie Anne Yap has been selected to represent her home country as a member of the Philippines National Team Pool. She is now part of a select group of players who can be called up to represent her country in future tournaments, friendlies, and games for the U20 and Senior Team Levels.

In late November, Philippines Women's National Team head coach Mark Torcaso and assistant coach Andrew Durante held ID camps for the country's senior, U20, and U17 programs with the goal to create a pool of players for each team for future call-ups and training camps. With the four-day ID camp underway, the women's national team was holding a training camp of its own and on the final night, Yap received an email notifying her that she had been selected to continue her training by joining the women's team camp.

"It's crazy that back in 2019 when I was getting my dual citizenship and Philippine passport, it felt like an out-of-reach dream to one day represent my culture and country playing the sport I love," said Yap about her experience. "Playing internationally for the Philippines U18 and U20 has been surreal and watching the sport develop in the Philippines has been amazing to witness."

Yap described the training environment as intense, with each drill performed at the highest level. It helped her confirm what level she's at in her young career and how much work she needs to put in to continue matching that level. Coming out of the camp, the freshman learned more about herself as a player and what it's like to compete at an elite level. After the camp, Yap becomes part of the player pool to be called up for tournaments, friendlies, and more training camps throughout the year and in years to come.

"I'm very excited that Kylie continues to have these opportunities with her national team," said Penn State Harrisburg head coach Brandon West. "These are unforgettable experiences she is having and it is because of her hard work, discipline, and time she puts into her craft. It is a joy to coach Kylie and so gratifying to watch her continue to earn these opportunities."

Yap's international career began in June of 2022 when she received an invitation to play with the U18 Philippines National Team under head coach Let Dimzon for the U18 AFF Tournament in Palembang, Indonesia. She kept up with the team's activities through social media before reaching out directly via email later that year. Staying connected and sending film eventually resulted in her participating in a five-week U18 camp with the program. In the ensuing tournament, Yap earned a starting spot at center defensive midfielder and played in every game, including outings against Australia, Myanmar, and Malaysia. 

Following the AFF competition, assistant coach Nahuel Arrarte took over as U20 head coach. A month after an ID camp was held in Los Angeles to create a player pool for the U20 AFC Qualifiers Tournament. Yap was called up for the event. Preparation included a week-long camp in Manila, Philippines before the AFC competition in Vientiane, Laos. Yap again proved a key contributor for her country, playing in each game against China, Laos, and Hong Kong as an outside back. She started against Laos, played full time, and scored her first international goal which proved to be the game winner. The victory proved an historic one, as it was the first for Philippines U20 since 2012.

READ: AFC: Kylie Yap strikes as Filipinas U20 withstand Jota red card to beat Laos

"I'm beyond blessed and grateful to have had this opportunity to train with the same women I've looked up to, who played in this past World Cup, and to showcase myself in front of the coaching staff," said Yap about her rare and unique opportunity. "Overall, this has been an amazing experience for me and one I will never forget. I'm excited for what's to come next."