Canada's Official World Cup Roster | 2015 Women's World Cup | Houston Dash
VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Purdue soccer alumna Lauren Sesselmann has been selected to the official roster of the Canadian Women's National Team for the FIFA Women's World Cup this summer in Canada.
Sesselmann was among the 23 players named to the squad at the official announcement ceremony Monday in Vancouver's Robson Square. She helped Canada win a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. However, this will be the first time Sesselmann has played for Canada at the World Cup.
Sesselmann, a Boilermaker from 2001-05, recently returned to action with both the Canadian National Team and the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League after missing all of the 2014 season due to a knee injury. She started and played the first half in Canada's April 9 friendly at France. After playing for FC Kansas City during the NWSL's inaugural 2013 season, she made her debut with the Dash April 18 in a 1-1 draw against Sky Blue FC in New Jersey. Again, she started the game and played the first half.
Sesselmann was born in Wisconsin but gained Canadian citizenship through her father, who was born in Newfoundland. She helped the Boilermakers qualify for the NCAA Tournament in 2002, 2003 and 2005. She was a forward for Purdue but has become a defender at the professional level. Sesselmann finished her collegiate career as the Boilers' all-time leader in goals (34), assists (22) and points (90). Her goals record was eclipsed in 2009 by Jessica Okoroafo and her assists benchmark was surpassed this past season by Alex Hairston. She continues to hold the points record.
The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup is set for June 6 through July 5. As the host nation, eighth-ranked Canada is in Group A with No. 12 the Netherlands, No. 16 China and No. 17 New Zealand. Second-ranked Team USA is Group D with No. 5 Sweden, No. 10 Australia and No. 33 Nigeria. Canada plays in the first game of the tournament, June 6 in Edmonton. Ottawa, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Moncton and Montreal are also hosting games. The knockout round/second stage begins June 20 and the championship game is set for July 5 in Vancouver. FOX Sports is scheduled to televise the entire tournament, with games on FOX, FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2.
At the 2012 Olympics, the Canadian Women's National Team won the country's first Summer Games medal in a traditional team sport since 1936. In Canada's six games at the Olympics, Sesselman was on the pitch for the duration of the tournament except for the final 21 minutes of the opener against Japan. She helped the Canadians post shutout wins against South Africa, Great Britain and France. Canada and Team USA played over 120 minutes of action in a memorable semifinal game that the Americans won, 4-3, on a goal with 30 seconds left to play in extra time.
Sesselmann joined David Boudia (gold and bronze in diving events) as former Boilermakers to medal at the 2012 Olympics. She became the first Purdue women's soccer player to win an Olympic medal and now has an opportunity to be the first Boilermaker to play in a World Cup.
Canada did not do well at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany, losing all three of its games in Group A while being outscored, 7-1. That made the bronze medal just a year later at the Olympics a surprise. Current Canadian coach John Herdman was hired after the poor showing at the 2011 World Cup and selected the roster for this year's tournament, which Canada is hosting for the first time. The Canadians best-ever showing at the Women's World Cup was fourth place in 2003.
Sesselmann was most recently back on campus for homecoming weekend in the fall of 2014. She attended the September 26 home game against Minnesota.
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There you have it! #canWNT 23-player selection for #Canada2015 pic.twitter.com/fWDlzWLPgp
-- Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) April 27, 2015
I made it! @lsesselmann will play for #canWNT in the @FIFAWWC! #Canada2015 pic.twitter.com/5T04HqD2PP
-- Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) April 27, 2015
Meet your #canWNT D: @cmoscato4 @rhirhi8 @menault20 @emme_z @keishaballa @lsesselmann @allyshachapman @RobynGayle5 pic.twitter.com/w9ICh7qGL9
- Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) April 27, 2015
JUST IN: @erinmcleod18, @lsesselmann & @allyshachapman named to #CanWNT roster for WWC --> http://t.co/NGYwUyVJ8n pic.twitter.com/XZB6cAFRBu
- Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) April 27, 2015