Oct. 27, 2009
Memphis, Tenn. -
The Canadian women’s under-20 team has selected Lady Tiger sophomore midfielder Lizzy Hildebrandt to play for the team this weekend in Mexico.
“I think it is a huge honor for Lizzy and for this program, to get called to play for their respective national teams,” Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. “It shows that this program is getting players that are at the national level and we are developing players that can play at the national level. It’s not only an honor for Lizzy and the program, but it’s an honor for this University to have kids represent their country. This is something that is very well deserved for her.”
Hildebrandt will miss Memphis’ match versus UAB on Thursday night at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The Calgary, Alberta native, will return to Memphis in time to travel to the C-USA Tournament next week.
“Although it is tough timing to lose her with a critical match coming up on Thursday, we all gave her a hug and wished her good luck,” Monaghan said. “That’s the way I believe in things and when kids get called up to represent their national teams, it’s something that they will remember for the rest of their life. We wish her well and we will be excited to get her back when she comes back.”
The Canadian team is preparing for the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) Women’s U-20 Championship, which begins January 18. Canada head coach Carolina Morace assembled the team at the University of Texas El Paso for a camp which Hildebrandt traveled to after Memphis’ victory at East Carolina on Sunday.
“In the second camp of the year for this age group, I have taken the opportunity to broaden the pool of players from which we can draw for the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championships in January” said coach Morace. “The work of the National Team is largely based on tactical work in order to properly build the team. In the first camp, I found the players highly motivated and I hope that the new players will bring the same level of motivation into this camp.”
Hildebrandt will see action in a two game series against Mexico in Juarez, Mexico on Thurs. Oct. 29th at 6 p.m. (CST) and Sat. Oct. 31st at 2 p.m. (CST). Hildebrandt is one of 12 athletes on the Canadian team that will be missing college matches to play for their home country.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all coaches of the University Programs throughout Canada and the US who have supported their players by releasing them during a very critical time of their own University seasons,” said Morace. “They have understood the importance of this opportunity for their players and for our national program.”
Hildebrandt has played in all 18 matches for the Lady Tigers this season and has posted one goal and one assist this season. She registered her first assist of the 2009 season on Sunday at Marshall and will return to the Lady Tigers team after the two game series versus Mexico is completed.
“One of the assistant coaches called me a couple of weeks ago asking about her performance,” Monaghan said. “Over the years, the coaching staff has kept their eye on her and I let them know she had the potential to play at that level. When they called me, Lizzy was not playing that well, but obviously, I let Lizzy know about the call and she has responded well over the last several weeks. I think she will do great for the Canadian team. The positive of this is, it should give her more confidence to come back and join this team, knowing that she can play at the national level. She should be extremely confident when she gets back and that is a great thing for this team.”
Hildebrandt is the second Memphis player selected to play for the Canadian national team in the last two seasons. Sophomore midfielder Julia Ignacio played for the Canadian team last season after playing nine games for Memphis. For more information on the Canadian U-20 team and updates on camp please visit www.CanadaSoccer.com.
