USWNT Recognizes Utahns from Women’s Deaf Soccer Team
Utah players Sophie Post and Taegan Frandsen honored by the U.S. women’s national soccer team
The U.S. women’s national soccer team paid tribute to two outstanding Utah athletes from the U.S. women’s national deaf soccer team before their recent match against Colombia. The event took place at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, where midfielder Sophie Post and goalkeeper Taegan Frandsen were recognized for their remarkable achievements.
Sophie Post, hailing from Murray, and Taegan Frandsen, from Centerville, had the opportunity to attend the national team’s training session the day before the game. The CEO and Secretary General of the U.S. Soccer Federation, JT Batson, also joined in honoring these exceptional athletes.
Impressive Victory at the Women’s World Deaf Championship
Both Post and Frandsen were part of the winning team at the 2023 Women’s World Deaf Championship, held in Malaysia on October 6th. The U.S. team emerged victorious, going undefeated in this prestigious tournament. It was the third time that the U.S. women’s national deaf soccer team claimed the title.
During the tournament, Post scored a goal in the final match and netted four more throughout the team’s six games, according to U.S. Soccer. Frandsen was awarded the Golden Glove, recognizing her as the tournament’s best goalkeeper. Payton DeGraw, another goalkeeper from Salt Lake City, also represented the team and started in three games.
About Sophie Post and Taegan Frandsen
Post, a former student at Murray High School, made her mark as a freshman player at Shoreline Community College in Seattle. She was even appointed as a team captain, as reported by KSL.
Frandsen currently attends Salt Lake Community College and previously attended Viewmont High School, according to SLCC. Both Post and Frandsen had the privilege of representing the U.S. team at the 2022 Deaflympics in Brazil.
To qualify for the deaf national team, players must have a hearing loss of at least 55 decibels in their “better ear,” as stated by U.S. Soccer. During the Deaflympics, players were not allowed to wear their hearing aids. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters facilitated communication between coaches and players, and referees used flags instead of whistles to signal stoppage of play, KSL reported.
It is commendable that the U.S. women’s national soccer team acknowledges the talent and dedication exhibited by athletes in the deaf soccer community. By highlighting the achievements of players like Sophie Post and Taegan Frandsen, we celebrate their success and continue to promote inclusivity and diversity in sports.
