USF Athletics

Five Former USF Standouts Set to Compete in 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup

June 05, 2019

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, JUNE 5, 2019 – USF will be represented well at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France with five former program standouts competing for four different national teams.

The Bulls' Women's World Cup participants include Olivia Chance (New Zealand), Christiane Endler (Chile) and Demi Stokes (England) while Trudi Carter and Nicole McClure are both playing for Jamaica.

"Having these strong women representing the legacy of USF's impactful people and players fills us with incredible pride." USF head coach Denise Schilte-Brown said. "Go Bulls."

Group phase matches begin Friday and Bulls fans' first chance to watch USF's competitors in action is Sunday at 9:30 a.m. (EST), when Jamaica faces Brazil (Group C). Catch the action on FS1.

Carter, who played forward for USF from 2015-16, scored four goals for Jamaica during the CONCACAF Caribbean Women's Qualifiers and started twice at the CONCACAF Women's Championship.

"It means a lot to qualify for the World Cup and also be able to play in the World Cup," Carter said. "It was a longtime dream of mine to play at the highest level. For it to finally happen now, I'm just grateful and thankful for God to bless me with this opportunity to be able to live out my dream."

What makes the experience even sweeter for Carter is the opportunity to play for Jamaica with another Bull on the squad.

McClure, a goalkeeper at USF from 2010-11, played a key role in helping Jamaica become the first-ever Caribbean nation to qualify for a senior Women's World Cup. The 40-game starter for USF made two penalty kick saves during the team's victory over Panama in the third-place game at the CONCACAF qualifying tournament in 2018.

"It's awesome to have a fellow Bull here with me going to the World Cup," Carter said. "If it wasn't for Nicole, we wouldn't be going to a World Cup, so I'm thankful for her."

Stokes and England begin their run in Group D with a noon (EST) match Sunday against Scotland (TV: FOX). A two-time American Athletic All-Conference selection during her USF career (2011-14), Stokes still ranks ninth on the program's career chart with 17 goals and she's tied for sixth with 14 assists.

Stokes is regarded as a top player for England and the national team defender has totaled 51 career caps with the Lionesses. Now the former USF star forward gets to make her very first Women's World Cup appearance.

"When you get interested in football, you instantly start to dream about playing for your country and going to a World Cup," said Stokes in a feature on GoUSFBulls.com back in 2015.

Chance and New Zealand begin competition in Group E on Tuesday, June 11 at 9 a.m. (EST) against the Netherlands (TV: FS1).

"It's the greatest achievement in my football career to date to make the squad for the World Cup," Chance said.

The midfielder played for USF from 2012-15 earned American Athletic All-Conference First Team honors twice (2014-15) and also was a member of the 2012 Big East All-Rookie Team.

Chance produced consistently for the Bulls, leading the team in scoring three times (2013-15), assists twice (2014-15) and points twice (2014-15). Chance currently ranks third in USF career history with 21 assists and fourth with 31 goals.

Endler and Chile are set to start their journey through Group F on Tuesday, June 11 against Sweden at noon (EST) in a matchup that will be televised on FS1. Ender is Chile's team captain and previously competed for her country at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Chile 2008.

Endler arrived at USF in 2012 and made the most of her two seasons with the Bulls, becoming the program's career leader in goals against average (0.90) and totaling the sixth-most saves in school history (170). Endler was named to the 2013 American Athletic All-Conference Second Team, a year after she tied for second in USF season history with nine shutouts.

Follow the Bulls' progress throughout the Women's World Cup by visiting the tournament's official website HERE.
 
About USF Women's Soccer
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The USF women's soccer team has posted seven consecutive seasons of 10-plus wins and nine in the last 10 years under head coach Denise Schilte-Brown. The Bulls made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2010 and returned in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.