ERIE, Pa. - Former Gannon women's soccer standout
Justine Rodrigues (Georgetown, Ontario/Georgetown District) will play on the national stage this week as her Guyana national team attempts to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A native of Canada with Guyanese descent, Rodrigues has been playing with the Guyana National Senior Women's Soccer Team since the age of 16. With three qualifying rounds to reach the Olympics, Guyana began its run in the Dominican Republic (August 21-25) where it advanced by defeating St. Kitts 8-0 and tying Cuba 1-1.
The second qualifying round in Trinidad and Tobago begins Wednesday, November 18 when Guyana battle Puerto Rico. It will then play either Trinidad and Tobago or Jamaica on Friday, November 18. With one victory, Guyana will advance to the final Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) qualifying round hosted in Texas in February. Competition during the final qualifying round is expected to include the United States and Canada national teams.
Guyana has tasted success with the help of Rodrigues who scored the game-winning goal against Cuba to reach the Gold Cup of the FIFA World Cup qualifying rounds. Rodrigues was directly pitted against the likes of Kara Lang and Canadian women's senior team captain Christine Sinclair during the FIFA World Cup qualifying rounds.
Rodrigues was a four-year starter at Gannon from 2011-14, starting 74 matches during that time span. The midfielder was a three-time all-region selection, earning honors twice from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and once from Daktronics. She was also a two-time All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) selection.
The Georgetown, Ontario, native finished her collegiate career with 20 goals, nine assists, 49 points and eight game-winning goals. Rodrigues ranks eighth all-time at Gannon in career goals, ninth in career points and 15th in career assists. Her best season arguably came as a senior when she recorded nine goals and 19 points.
