Aug 18, 2008 - 03:10 PM

By Al Rivett

PICKERING -- Representing Canada at the U20 World Cup would be the realization of a dream for a former long-time Ajax United soccer player.

Allysha Chapman, 19, leaves for Vancouver on Sept. 2 for Canada's U20 residency camp, where she will vie to become part of the Canadian squad to compete in this year's FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Santiago, Chile from Nov. 19 until Dec. 7. The camp is based in the B.C. city, but the Canadian team will also play friendlies in Brazil and California in preparation for the World Cup.

"Yeah, I'm really excited, but I still have to make the team," said Chapman, a Courtice resident.

The defender believes, however, she has a solid chance to land a roster spot owing to the fact she played in every game at the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) zone qualifying tournament in Puebla, Mexico last June. There, the Canadians claimed the gold medal and earned one of three berths from CONCACAF to the World Cup.

"I played all 90 minutes in all five games at CONCACAF qualifying, so my chances are pretty good. But, I'm not going to take it for granted."

Chapman notes playing for Canada at CONCACAF may have been a solid experience, but nothing matched the high of meeting a mighty and favoured U.S. U20 squad in the final, with the decidedly underdog Canucks prevailing 1-0.

"I think we stepped it up in general. The team surprised me. I didn't think we could beat the Americans. It was probably the best experience of my life. They were pretty pissed off. It gives us hope that we have a shot at this (World Cup) thing."

In fact, the Canadians went undefeated in five CONCACAF qualifying games, defeating Mexico, Nicaragua, Jamaica and Costa Rica, before downing host Mexico 2-1 in the semifinal to set up a date with the U.S.

"So far, it was the biggest highlight of my soccer career," says Chapman of the CONCACAF tournament. "Hopefully, the World Cup tops it."

Playing with the national U20 women's team was only part of Chapman's summer on the soccer pitch. She also turns up twice a week at Miller's Creek Park in Ajax to help out her old coach, Rich Hirst, and train alongside the Ajax United U15 girls' Ontario Youth Soccer League team that's currently ranked No. 1 in the province. She also helps out with Ajax United's U12 team as well.

"A lot of them are really good players who are involved with Team Ontario. Some of them can be on the Canadian under-20 team some day," said Chapman.

"She is an excellent role model for these two young teams," said Hirst.

As well, she's also made time to play on the Toronto Lynx women's team, playing her third season with that club, helping them finish second in league play this summer.

In the fall, Chapman will return for her second season with the UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) Blazers women's soccer team where she plays the left fullback position.

While her freshman season on the pitch had its bumps along the road, Chapman says she's looking forward to helping the Blazers achieve more in the 2009 season.

"I liked it down there. Playing in the south is really different," said Chapman, who's majoring in biology. "We didn't do as well as we should have, but I met a lot of new friends. It was good."

The Blazers finished fourth in Conference USA (NCAA Division 1) action, but lost their first game of playoff action to Rice University of Texas, thus ending their season.

"There's room for improvement and we have some new recruits coming in. Hopefully, we'll do well."

If she can hopefully earn her way on to Canada's World Cup team, Chapman hopes she can parlay that experience into a shot at playing on Canada's national women's team at the 2012 Olympics in London.

"That's my goal. That's where I want to be in four years, hopefully," she said.