April 29, 2015
2015 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SITE
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-American Melissa Tancredi (’04) has officially been selected to represent her home country of Canada and make her third career FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance later this summer.
Tancredi was one of 23 selections announced by Canada Soccer that will comprise the Canada Women’s National Team roster in the international tournament, with Canada serving as World Cup host for the first time during the June 6-July 5 scheduled event. She is the second player with Notre Dame soccer ties named to a World Cup roster for 2015, joining fellow Fighting Irish legend and four-time United States Women’s National Team World Cup performer Shannon Boxx (’99).
Tancredi returns to the FIFA Women’s World Cup after appearing in three group-stage matches for Canada in 2011, scoring two goals for her home side. During her inaugural World Cup appearance in 2007, Tancredi scored the second-fastest goal in the competition’s history, netting a goal a mere 37 seconds into the final group stage match against Australia.
A veteran of nearly 100 international matches for Team Canada, Tancredi is also a past Olympic medalist after appearing in both the Beijing (2008) and London (2012) Games, aiding the Canadian side to a bronze medal finish in 2012.
A native of Ancaster, Ontario, Tancredi was named to the 2003 and 2004 NSCAA All-America second teams, and was one of the key members of the 2004 Notre Dame NCAA national championship roster. She was a two-time BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2003-04) selection, and finished her collegiate career with 14 goals and 11 assists in 82 matches played (73 starts) at both forward and defender for the Fighting Irish.
Canada is set to open the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup on June 6 against China in Edmonton. Other foes joining Canada and China in Group A are New Zealand and the Netherlands.
For more information on the Fighting Irish women’s soccer program, follow Notre Dame on Twitter (@NDsoccernews or @NDSoccer), like the Fighting Irish on Facebook (facebook.com/NDWomenSoccer) or sign up for the Irish ALERT text-messaging system through the “Fan Center” pulldown menu on the main page at UND.com.
–ND–