Brooks to Play for Guatemala in Olympic Soccer Qualifiers

FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State junior soccer player Shannon Brooks was selected to the Guatemalan national team for the upcoming 2012 Olympic qualifying tournament in Vancouver, Canada.  The top two teams in the eight team tournament will advance to the 2012 Olympics in London, England.

Brooks has been training with the national team since Christmas and made the final 20-player roster from the initial pool of 30.

Guatemala will open qualifying Friday, Jan. 20 against Mexico.  The team will then take on the United State Sunday, Jan. 22.  Group play ends Tuesday, Jan. 24 against the Dominican Republic.

The semifinals are scheduled for Friday, Jan. 27 and the final will be held Sunday, Jan. 29.

All the Olympic qualifiers can be viewed for free online at CONCACAF.com.

Brooks has played for the Guatemala Under-20 and senior national teams.  She helped Guatemala earn a berth in the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup and scored once in the CONCACAF Championships with the U-20 team.

Guatemala Olympic Qualifying Schedule (all times Central)

Friday, Jan. 20 vs. Mexico, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 22 vs. United States, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 24 vs. Dominican Republic, 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 27 - Semifinals, 7 p.m. & 10 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 29 - Final, 7 p.m.