The U17 ‘98 Raptors team members are, from left, (front) Lauren Ezzell, Jill Paulin, Bre Thorne, Libby Burroughs, (middle) Mary Cathren Thrasher, Llewellyn South, Laura Upton, Lori Milligan, Kat Patrick, Kaitlyn Thompson, Kimberli Teague, (back) Caroline Matthews, Kelsie Hanline, Peyton Dean, Madison Slaten, Emily McNeill and Coach Jason Grey. | Special to the Enquirer

The U17 ‘98 Raptors of the River City United Soccer Club will take a Caribbean cruise May 23-30 to play in the 2015 Caribbean International Friendlies.

The team will depart Miami, Fla., and cruise to St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Grand Turk and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The trip will allow the girls to gain some international playing experience to boost their soccer résumés and build camaraderie.

The team will be doing fundraisers and is seeking sponsors from local businesses to help with the cost of the cruise. The Raptors consist of 16 girls from Decatur, Austin, Priceville, Athens, Cullman, Danville and Hartselle high schools.

The team’s coach, Jason Grey, was born and raised in St. Kitts. He played soccer all through school. He came to the University of Alabama-Huntsville, walked on the soccer team and played three years.

Grey has coached with this RCUSC since 2004 and helped the team be a state finalist in 2014, win the 2014 Battle at the Jack, finish as a finalist in the Birmingham Bash, win the 2013 state championship and be the President’s Cup representative for the state of Alabama in its bracket.