Melissa Tancredi
Women’s Soccer (Canada) – 2008, 2012

Tancredi’s Notre Dame Bio

Prominent contributor (mainly as a forward) for Canadian National Team since 2004, helping her native country reach the Olympics in 2008 and 2012 … Canada made its first-ever Olympic appearance in 2008, advancing to the quarterfinals before narrowly falling to the eventual gold medalist United States, 2-1 in overtime … scored goal in 63rd-minute of group stage match against Sweden.

Also represented Canada in 2007 and 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cups … scored 37 seconds into final group stage match vs. Australia in 2007 (the second-fastest goal in WWC?history), but the Matildas scored in second-half stoppage time to forge a 2-2 draw and knock Canada out of the competition … could also be in line for her third World Cup appearance in 2015, when Canada plays host to the tournament for the first time (and automatically qualifies for the event) … also part of Canada squad that won 2010 CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifier and took gold medal at 2011 Pan American Games … ranks sixth in Canadian National Team history (second among active players) with 17 career goals in international competition.

Spent time in the American professional ranks with Saint Louis Athletica of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) in 2009 … also suited up for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the W-League (2010) and currently plays for Dalsjofors GoIF in Sweden’s top division.

Played as both a forward and defender during her career at Notre Dame from 2000-04 (missed 2000 season with knee injury) … two-time All-America selection in 2003 and 2004 … key member of Notre Dame’s 2004 NCAA national championship team as a defensive enforcer … totaled 14 goals and 11 assists in 82 career matches (73 starts) … first Fighting Irish field player to earn a top BIG EAST honor (2003 defensive player of year, also in 2004) despite no prior all-BIG EAST recognition … also was critical cog in 2003 Notre Dame defense that allowed just 12 goals with 10-match shutout streak (still tied for seventh-longest in NCAA history) and a school-record span of 16 consecutive matches without a deficit.

A native of Ancaster, Ontario, she graduated from Notre Dame in 2004 with bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and pre-professional studies.