Women's Soccer: Mailloux To Train With Team Canada
January 25, 2008 01:43 PM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
January 25, 2008
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| Nicole Mailloux |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University women’s soccer player Nicole Mailloux will attend the Canadian Under-20 (U-20) Women’s National Team training camp Jan. 27-Feb. 3, in Vancouver, British Columbia.
“This is a great opportunity for Nicole to represent her country,” says WVU Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “Being able to train at a high level and the overall experience at the national level will only help her improve as a player.”
Mailloux, a former Canadian U-17 and U-18 National Team member, is one of nearly 30 players invited to participate in upcoming World Cup preparations. The national team is preparing for CONCACAF Qualifying for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, to be held Nov. 20-Dec. 7, in Chile.
"I certainly believe that there will be several future World Cup (senior) team players that emerge from this pool," says Canada U-20 Head Coach Bob Birarda. "It is fantastic that those players’ development can continue next year through the exciting challenge of CONCACAF and FIFA events."
To qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Chile 2008, Canada will need to finish amongst the top-three teams in the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship.
Mailloux, a sophomore, has appeared in 17 matches for West Virginia the past two seasons. The Mississauga, Ontario, native has provided depth as a defender for a Mountaineer defense that has recorded 27 shutouts over the past two years.
While Mailloux is working to secure a sport on Canada’s roster, WVU teammate Carolyn Blank will do the same for the U.S. U-20 national team. Blank is wrapping up a week of training in Carson, Calif., with Team USA.
