Longwood University Athletics

FARMVILLE, Va. —Longwood junior defenseman Tyrique Lake and freshman winger Eli Carr represent Longwood men's soccer on the international stage. Carr will represent Puerto Rico in the upcoming 2020 CONCACAF U20 Championship Qualifiers with group play set to take place February 15-23. Lake has made multiple appearances for the Anguilla National Team, with plans to compete for Anguilla throughout the summer and into the fall. 

"Eli Carr and Tyrique Lake are fantastic young men who have experienced wonderful success within their sport," said head coach Jon Atkinson. "This is a testament to their effort and application to get to this point in their careers. To represent your country is an outstanding achievement of which they should feel very proud of their accomplishments. We are thankful we get a chance to see them perform in our Lancer jersey." 

This is not the first time Longwood has had representation at the international level under head coach Jon Atkinson - In 2015 goalkeeper Carlos Canas was in net for the El Salvadorean U20 National Team that narrowly missed out on a trip to the FIFA U-20 World Cup. 

Carr will represent Longwood on the Puerto Rican National Team this February in the upcoming 2020 CONCACAF U20 Championship Qualifiers. Puerto Rico will host group play and begin their CONCACAF against the Cayman Islands on February 19. Puerto Rico then competes against Barbados on February 21, then finishing group play on February 23 against Bermuda. 

"Playing for the Puerto Rican National Team is certainly very exciting, and I'm humbled to be able to represent the beautiful island where a lot of my family is from," said freshman Eli Carr. "With the short time I have spent with the national team already, it is an amazing experience to be able to compete on an international stage against the best players and countries in the region. It's truly an indescribable feeling being able to represent an entire country, and it's not going to be something I ever forget." 

"A lot of sacrifice from my family has ultimately led up to this point, and I can't thank my parents enough for everything they have done to help me get to this point. Also, the support from my coaches, teammates, and friends here at Longwood has helped me to succeed, and for that, I am extremely grateful."

Carr recorded two assists for the Lancers in 2019, with 11 appearances and eight starts in his freshman campaign. 

Lake, a native of Quarter, Anguilla, has represented his country in international play with three caps, with his first appearance in November 2018 against the Bahamas. His two other appearances for the Anguilla National Team came against Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands in 2019. Later this year, Lake plans to appear in international friendlies as the Anguilla National Team prepares for their next tournament in September.  

"When I was a child, playing for the Anguilla National Team was one of my main goals," said junior Tyrique Lake. "Being able to execute one of my goals in the presence of family and friends was very rewarding. Being a national team player comes with responsibility both on and off the field. I take great pride in being able to contribute to my team as well as being a role model for young players whose aspirations are to perform at the level that I have been able to."

Lake appeared in nine games with four starts in his first season with the Lancers. As a defenseman, Lake contributed to a Lancer defense that recorded three shutouts in 2019.  

"I will continue to represent Anguilla National Team because Anguilla is home, and home is where my heart is. I would love to thank my family for always encouraging and believing in me. I also would like to thank my athletics department at Longwood University, my teammates and my coaches for such a major contribution to my development. This opportunity would not be possible without the guidance and quality of this athletic program."

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