A New Opportunity for Two Section VII Soccer Stars

Two standout players from Section VII high schools are making their mark on a national stage. Carly Hagadoron from Beekmantown High School and Amaya Abellard from Plattsburgh High School have been selected to participate in the 2026 Olympic Development Program (ODP) interregional showcase in Orlando, Florida. This annual event brings together some of the top 13-18-year-old girls’ soccer players from across the country for a three-day competition.

The experience offers these young athletes a chance to compete against some of the best talent in the nation. For Abellard, this is her second time competing in the interregional, following her first appearance last year. She says the opportunity has helped her grow as a player.

“In high school, you don’t get to see other players play at a high level like this often,” Abellard said. “You don’t really get to see what your abilities can actually do … obviously you’re going to make mistakes, but coaches want to see how you react to that, so it’s really helpful for me as a player.”

Hagadorn and Abellard both earned their spots on the ODP’s East team after impressive performances at the Eastern Pennsylvania ODP showcase. For Abellard, returning to the interregional was a meaningful step. She previously competed alongside Grace McCasland, a former Beekmantown High School star who went on to play NCAA Division I soccer at Binghamton University.

“I feel so blessed that I got to have a second opportunity,” Abellard said. “I know last year I did not have my best showing, I just wasn’t as confident … but this year is going so much better and I’m happy to be back.”

Hagadorn, on the other hand, is making her debut at the interregional. She described the experience as eye-opening, especially because she got to meet and play with players from different parts of the Northeast. She and Abellard were on the same team, which included players from New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

“It’s definitely been a good experience for me,” Hagadorn said. “I’m super excited to be able to play with my team from the East and it’s really cool to be going against all these different girls from all over the country.”

Both players hope their participation will inspire other girls’ soccer players in the North Country to take on similar challenges in the future. They believe that stepping out of one’s comfort zone can lead to significant personal growth.

“It feels really good to set an example,” Abellard said. “I want people back at home to try it out themselves. Step out of your comfort zone. I know I was really nervous at first, but I would recommend it to anybody.”

Hagadorn added, “When I talked to my teammates, and I tell them I’m from Plattsburgh and they’re like, ‘Where is that?’ In reality, it doesn’t matter where you are from. As long as you’re showing yourself.”

Abellard and Hagadorn will continue their journey in Florida until Monday, Jan. 26, before flying back to Plattsburgh that same night. Their experiences highlight the importance of opportunities like the ODP in helping young athletes reach their full potential.

Key Takeaways from the Interregional Showcase

• The ODP interregional showcase provides a platform for top young female soccer players to compete nationally.
• Abellard’s second appearance in the event allowed her to build on previous experiences and improve her performance.
• Hagadorn’s first-time participation exposed her to new competition and teammates from across the Northeast.
• Both players emphasize the value of stepping outside one’s comfort zone to grow as athletes and individuals.
• Their success could encourage more local players to pursue similar opportunities in the future.