Over a seven day period, Georgia State women's soccer head coach Derek Leader traveled to Costa Rica with the Region III Girls 98 team as part of the Olympic Development Program. The team played in four matches against four different Costa Rican teams, and Leader's squad went 4-0 and won for the first time in Region III's history.

This was the seventh year of the tournament, and the United States and Costa Rica were tied at three wins apiece before this year's tournament.

The Olympic Development Program divides the United States into quadrants or regions.  The south is known as Region III.  Region III had never won before this year.

“I've been working for Region III for a decade,” Leader said. “This was my first trip to Costa Rica. It was a pleasure to work with some of the best young players in the country, many of whom are from right here in Georgia.”

In their first match on Feb. 16, Leader's team defeated Arenal 2-1. The next day, the Region III squad shutout Saprissa 2-0. Following the back to back matches, the players got two days off to explore and sightsee the country. The players performed community service and went zip lining through the forest.

The tournament resumed on Feb. 19, where the Region III team took down the Costa Rica U17 squad 5-1. In the final match of the tournament, Leader's team defeated  Alajuela 3-0. Region III finished the tournament with 12 points, two more than the No. 2 team, Region IV.

“I was very proud of the effort the girls gave over the course of the tournament,” said Leader. “It was an experience I will never forget.”

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