March 24, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. -

Former Kansas soccer player Nicole Cauzillo will participate in a mission trip to Ethiopia with the semi-professional Charlotte Lady Eagles soccer team. Cauzillo and the Lady Eagles will travel to Ethiopia's capital city of Addis Ababa for a 15-day trip, beginning April 1.

The team will participate in six matches during the 15-day tour, highlighted by a friendly against the Ethiopian National Team. During their stay, Cauzillo and the Lady Eagles will hold soccer clinics as well as look for ways to share their faith.

"I'm really excited to go," said Cauzillo, who will also play with the Lady Eagles during their season this summer.

"I have a lot of compassion for people in other countries who might not have the resources we do in America. I'd like to show people over there that while we might have different backgrounds; we're similar in a lot of ways. Soccer is a universal language."

The Charlotte Lady Eagles takes an international trip annually to take part in international competition, conduct soccer clinics and camps, and to help with relief efforts.

To prepare for her trip, Cauzillo has been working out with the Jayhawk soccer team during their spring practices. The team has donated several items of soccer gear for the trip.

Within the last year, the KU senior adopted a seven-year old girl named Yetmwork, who lives in Ziowe, a town in Ethiopia. Cauzillo is hopeful to meet the girl she sponsors.

A four-year member of the Kansas soccer team, Cauzillo wrapped up her senior season last fall by leading the team with five goals and 12 points. She was named second team All-Big 12 as well as Academic All-District 7.