Memphis, TN-Sophomore Marie Levasseur and incoming freshman Jessica Lisi have been called up to the Canada Women’s U-20 team to play two closed-door matches against Mexico as part of a 10-day camp to help prepare the team for the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016.
“I say this every time, but this is great not only for these kids but also for our program,” Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. “Any time our kids get this experience it goes a long way. It’s also great for our university to have a player represent their country at such a high level. Playing in that atmosphere is hard to replicate so you hope they gain confidence and bring that into the team here.”
The matches will take place on May 18th and 23rd in Mexico City. According to the official release from Canada Soccer, the camp will serve as a key opportunity to work on individual player development plans as they track towards the various FIFA World Cups, or an opportunity with the senior women’s team.
Levasseur spent part of the winter with the full Canadian national team after being called into camp in November. The Stoneham, Quebec City native, featured in every match for Memphis as a true freshman in 2015, starting all but the opener, and finished tied for the team-lead in goals and was second with three assists.
Lisi, who was been a part of the Canadian youth national program in the past, attended St. Elizabeth Catholic High School in Woodbridge, Ontario and plays for Woodbridge Strikers. She was named OYSL Golden Boot winner (2011, 2013 and 2015), 2015 League 1 Ontario Youth Player of the Year and earned League 1 Ontario All-Star Starting XI recognition.
The pair, as well as the rest of the Tigers squad will report back to Memphis in August in preparation for the 2016 season.
