Candace Chapman
Women’s Soccer (Canada) – 2008, 2012

Chapman’s Notre Dame Bio

Veteran defender who represented Canada at the 2008 Olympics and will do so again in 2012 … scored her country’s first-ever Olympic goal in its inaugural appearance, finding the back of the net in the 27th minute of a 2-1 group-stage victory over Argentina … Canada went on to reach the quarterfinals of the 2008 Beijing Games before losing to the United States (the eventual gold medalist), 2-1 in overtime.

Has been a sentinel for the Canadian defense since 2002, but missed out on a chance to play for her country in 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup due to a knee injury (would also cause her to miss ’03 collegiate season) … returned for 2007 and 2011 World Cups, scoring Canada’s first goal in the ’07 tournament in the 33rd minute of a 2-1 group-stage loss to Norway … could make her third World Cup appearance in 2015, with Canada set to play host to the tournament (and thus earning automatic qualification into the event) … collected her 100th career cap on January 27, 2012, in a 3-1 victory over Mexico.

Saw time during all three seasons of existence for the most recent American professional league, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) … played 2009 season with Boston Breakers … signed as free agent with FC Gold Pride (based in San Francisco Bay Area) in 2010, helping that team to the WPS Championship … earned second WPS title ring in 2011 with Western New York Flash (based in Rochester) … also spent four seasons prior to WPS competition in the W-League with the Atlanta Silverbacks (2005) and Vancouver Whitecaps (2006-08), helping Vancouver to the ’06 title.

Two-time All-America selection during her career at Notre Dame from 2001-05, with the rare added distinction of garnering those two citations at the beginning and end of her collegiate tenure (second team in 2002, third team in 2005) … played primarily right back for the Fighting Irish, but also saw time as a forward on Notre Dame’s 2004 NCAA national championship squad, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 Fighting Irish win over Santa Clara in the national semifinals … was named to 2004 NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team after adding sparkling defensive play in title match vs. UCLA, clearing shot off the line in 85th minute to preserve 1-1 draw (Fighting Irish ultimately won on penalties) … one of five Notre Dame players named all-BIG EAST four times, as both a defender (first team in ’01, ’02, ’05) and forward (third team in ’04) … had 64 career points (20 goals, 24 assists) in 92 matches.

Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and spending her formative years in Ajax, Ontario, she graduated from Notre Dame in 2005 with bachelor’s degrees in sociology and computer applications.