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Princeton University, play for four years andBy Herb GarbuttOAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFthen move on to life beyond soccer. Her coachhad other plans, though. A group of a dozen soccer players is clus-He had moved Matheson from wide mid-tered inside Soccer World's Oakville store. Atfield to centre midfield and thought that per-first glance, Diana Matheson does not standhaps the national squad was overlooking aout from the group.player that could help the team. He asked theAt just 5 feet tall, Matheson is no tallernational team coach to watch a scrimmage andthan the teenage girls that have gatheredMathesons hustle made enough of an impres-around the 26-year-old national soccer teamsion to earn her an invitation to the Canadianveteran for autographs and advice.team's training camp.The same could be said of Matheson earlyBecause of her past experience, Mathesonin her soccer career. She was talented, sheknew she could take nothing for granted.played on very good teams, but she was oftenI knew the only way I was going to makeoverlooked for provincial and nationalthe team was working harder than anyoneteams.else, she said. I couldnt hit the long ball andSo how did Matheson become an integralI knew I had to get better so I would drag mypart of a team that reached an all-time highsister out or go out by myself with a bag of ballsin the FIFA world rankings sixth, up fromand hit long balls.ninth following its victory at the Cyprus(All that work evidently paid off. At the CyprusCup two weeks ago?Cup where Matheson, entrusted with takingThat's why Soccer World owner AlisonCanadas corners, set up Emily Zurrers winningMeinert has invited her to speak to the players.goal in extra time against the Netherlands in theHERB GARBUTT / OAKVILLE BEAVER"Her story hits home," she says. "It's workfinal. The same combo teamed up for CanadasNATIONAL TEAM VETERAN: Oakville's Diana Matheson speaks to young players andethic, work ethic, work ethic."only goal, again off a corner, in a 1-0 win overtheir parents Monday night at Soccer World. After being bypassed for provincial and national teamsWith the retirement of fellow OakvilleScotland earlier in the tournament.)early in her career, the midfielder has become a key player for the Canadian team that will head toSoccer Club product Kara Lang, MathesonWith the opportunity to play for the nation-the Women's World Cup in Germany in June, ranked sixth in the world. Monday's event also raisednow stands second, behind only Christineal team, Matheson postponed school for a year.funds for Kerr Street Ministries.Sinclair, among active national team playersAt 19, she made her senior team debut at thewith 116 caps.dered if she would ever get the opportunityamong the cuts when the final team wasAlgrave Cup, playing 12 minutes againstThis week she will head to Rome to jointo represent her province, much less hernamed.Norway. Three months later, in a friendlyher Canadian teammates as she prepares forcountry.She would make the Ontario team theagainst Mexico, her goal in the 90th minuteher third Womens World Cup in June, aWhen Matheson took part in her firstfollowing year but while many of her provin- her first for the national team gaveremarkable feat considering she once won-provincial team training camp, she wascial teammates and fellow Oakville SoccerCanada a 2-1 victory.Club players were invited to youth nationalStill Matheson wasnt about to rest on herteam camps, Matheson was overlooked untillaurels.INFORMATION & REGISTRATION she was 16. The first few years all I did was run my buttWhile she trained hard at the nationaloff and chase balls, she said. SESSIONyouth centre, she was constantly passed overBy the time the Womens World Cup rolledwhen it came time to select national squads.around that summer, Matheson had entrenchedLShe played just one friendly for the Canadianherself in the starting lineup. She played everyLAunder-20 team and was eventually told thatminute of Canadas six games as the teamBmaybe she was getting a little too old to trainreached the semifinals and earned a best-ever,TOat the national youth centre.fourth-place finish.OFThat was OK, Matheson had alreadyEight years later, Matheson feels the team is Emapped out her future. She would go toSee Coach, page 19LFOR BOYS AND KCAGIRLS AGES 6-13TRUNS AUGUST TO NOVEMBERBurlington Seniors Centre 2285 New St., Burlington, Ontario (in Central Park adjacent to the Central Library and Arena)Sunday March 27, 2011 Drop in between 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.TYKE (players born 2003-2005)ATOM(players born 2001-2002)PEEWEE(players born 1999-2000)BANTAM (players born 1997-1998)REGISTRATION FEE: $450includes equipment, all you need is cleatsac.llabInterested in Stampeder Football? Information SessiontoofronimnTuesday, March 29, 2011 7-9pmotgnilrub.Cedar Springs Racquet & Sports Clubwwwwww.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, March 23, 2011 18