University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Hudson-Marks set for final Jamaican National Team camp
Mar 09, 2019 | Women's Soccer
Senior seeks to compete in 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After initially being called in twice to Jamaica's full National Team camp in the last two months, Memphis women's soccer alumna Chanel Hudson-Marks will participate in the country's third and final camp in April.
Following her first trip to camp in January, the 2018 senior returned to Jamaica in late February and saw action in her first two international contests. The final camp is slated for April 1-9 in South Africa.
The daughter of Jamaican-born parents, Hudson-Marks made her first two international caps as the Senior Reggae Girlz won a pair international friendlies against 38th-ranked Chile as part of its second National Team camp.
"I thought I'd be more nervous, but I really wasn't nervous at all. The crowd was great. A lot of fans came out. I was really focused on playing a good game and representing my country," she said of the experience. "Playing another team was very different. Obviously you're practicing with the girls, so you have a better understanding of how to attack or defend. Chile was a whole different group of girls, so that was interesting."
Hudson-Marks made her first international appearance as the 53rd-ranked Jamaican squad defeated Chile, 1-0, on Feb. 28. The Reggae Girlz followed with a 3-2 victory against Chile on Mar. 3.
The Pickering, Ontario native played the entire second half in the first friendly, while playing 20 minutes of the second half in the second match.
"Coming off the bench, I liked it so I could get a feel of the game and watch to see in what ways I could help the team," she added.
In the second stint of camp, Hudson-Marks said the focus was primarily on growing more familiar with her teammates and building chemistry.
"The first trip involved a lot of media. I think this time allowed us more time playing and getting to know each other," she said. "We're building chemistry and getting to know each other's strengths."
Jamaican Head Coach Hue Menzies gave Hudson-Marks high praise on her versatility in the backfield.
"We have Chanel Hudson-Marks, who has come in to give us a little bit more depth around the back at wing-back," he noted to the Jamaica Observer last week. "She was a forward before, but she gives us more depth at the back and she is an excellent athlete and her transitional speed is very good."
Hudson-Marks, who switched from forward to the defensive backfield entering her senior year for the Blue and Gray, said she is continuously working on sharpening her defensive skills.
"I used to be an attacker, and I still have that attacking mindset, but I'm really focused on defending now," she said. "Throughout the transition, I knew that would be my main focus, but what I need to work on is transitioning from defense to attacking and relaxing once I've won the ball and be able to play."
Hudson-Marks said she is focused on training and improving some weak areas in the coming weeks as she preps for the final audition to compete in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup on June 7-July 7.
The Senior Reggae Girlz became the first Caribbean country to qualify for the Women's World Cup in October. Jamaica drew Group C ahead of its historic appearance at the World Cup this summer, competing alongside Australia, Brazil and Italy.
Following her first trip to camp in January, the 2018 senior returned to Jamaica in late February and saw action in her first two international contests. The final camp is slated for April 1-9 in South Africa.
The daughter of Jamaican-born parents, Hudson-Marks made her first two international caps as the Senior Reggae Girlz won a pair international friendlies against 38th-ranked Chile as part of its second National Team camp.
"I thought I'd be more nervous, but I really wasn't nervous at all. The crowd was great. A lot of fans came out. I was really focused on playing a good game and representing my country," she said of the experience. "Playing another team was very different. Obviously you're practicing with the girls, so you have a better understanding of how to attack or defend. Chile was a whole different group of girls, so that was interesting."
Hudson-Marks made her first international appearance as the 53rd-ranked Jamaican squad defeated Chile, 1-0, on Feb. 28. The Reggae Girlz followed with a 3-2 victory against Chile on Mar. 3.
The Pickering, Ontario native played the entire second half in the first friendly, while playing 20 minutes of the second half in the second match.
"Coming off the bench, I liked it so I could get a feel of the game and watch to see in what ways I could help the team," she added.
In the second stint of camp, Hudson-Marks said the focus was primarily on growing more familiar with her teammates and building chemistry.
"The first trip involved a lot of media. I think this time allowed us more time playing and getting to know each other," she said. "We're building chemistry and getting to know each other's strengths."
Jamaican Head Coach Hue Menzies gave Hudson-Marks high praise on her versatility in the backfield.
"We have Chanel Hudson-Marks, who has come in to give us a little bit more depth around the back at wing-back," he noted to the Jamaica Observer last week. "She was a forward before, but she gives us more depth at the back and she is an excellent athlete and her transitional speed is very good."
Hudson-Marks, who switched from forward to the defensive backfield entering her senior year for the Blue and Gray, said she is continuously working on sharpening her defensive skills.
"I used to be an attacker, and I still have that attacking mindset, but I'm really focused on defending now," she said. "Throughout the transition, I knew that would be my main focus, but what I need to work on is transitioning from defense to attacking and relaxing once I've won the ball and be able to play."
Hudson-Marks said she is focused on training and improving some weak areas in the coming weeks as she preps for the final audition to compete in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup on June 7-July 7.
The Senior Reggae Girlz became the first Caribbean country to qualify for the Women's World Cup in October. Jamaica drew Group C ahead of its historic appearance at the World Cup this summer, competing alongside Australia, Brazil and Italy.
Players Mentioned
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