St. John's University Athletics
Ava Collins to Compete for New Zealand in OFC Olympic Qualifier
2/5/2024 2:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Red Storm midfielder will play with home country for spot in 2024 Olympics
QUEENS, N.Y. – St. John's women's soccer midfielder Ava Collins was selected to compete for her home country of New Zealand in the Oceania Olympic Qualifying Tournament from Feb. 7-19.
The eight-team tournament will be held in Samoa with the group stage beginning on Tuesday. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage and the winner will represent the Oceania region at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. New Zealand will look to make the Olympic Tournament for the fifth time.
New Zealand will kick-off tomorrow at 7 p.m. EST against Tonga at the Football Federation Samoa Stadium.
Collins was named to the 24-woman squad on Thursday and was the lone collegiate player selected. Over the last couple years, the Auckland native has made 13 appearances for the Football Ferns senior national side.
Last summer, the Johnnie was named an alternate during the 2023 Women's World Cup squad that won the country's first-ever game against Norway on July 20.
During her career in Queens, Collins has made 61 appearances for the Johnnies over four seasons and 49 starts. She has accumulated 12 goals and 10 assists (34 points) over her career.
This past season, after missing most of the non-conference slate due to injury, Collins shined in BIG EAST play. The midfielder tied for fifth in the conference in goals (3) and knotted for third in points per game (1.0) over here seven league appearances.
To follow along with Football Ferns during the OFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament visit their website.
The eight-team tournament will be held in Samoa with the group stage beginning on Tuesday. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage and the winner will represent the Oceania region at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. New Zealand will look to make the Olympic Tournament for the fifth time.
New Zealand will kick-off tomorrow at 7 p.m. EST against Tonga at the Football Federation Samoa Stadium.
Collins was named to the 24-woman squad on Thursday and was the lone collegiate player selected. Over the last couple years, the Auckland native has made 13 appearances for the Football Ferns senior national side.
Last summer, the Johnnie was named an alternate during the 2023 Women's World Cup squad that won the country's first-ever game against Norway on July 20.
During her career in Queens, Collins has made 61 appearances for the Johnnies over four seasons and 49 starts. She has accumulated 12 goals and 10 assists (34 points) over her career.
This past season, after missing most of the non-conference slate due to injury, Collins shined in BIG EAST play. The midfielder tied for fifth in the conference in goals (3) and knotted for third in points per game (1.0) over here seven league appearances.
To follow along with Football Ferns during the OFC Olympic Qualifying Tournament visit their website.
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
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