Four Huskers Add Talent to Canadian National TeamFour Huskers Add Talent to Canadian National Team
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Four Huskers Add Talent to Canadian National Team

Lincoln - As the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>China, four former Husker players will add their talent to the Canadian National Team. Brittany Timko, Tanya Dennis, Amy Walsh and Karina LeBlanc continue their careers with the team and offer their insight with exclusive blogging on Huskers.com.

Canada, seeded in Group C, began the group stage with a 2-1 loss to Norway on Sept. 12 in Hangzhou, China. Canada rebounded with a 4-0 victory over Ghana on Sept. 15. Canada's match with Australia was pushed back a day due to typhoon Wipha, but Canada could not capitalize on the extra rest as they tied 2-2 and missed qualifying for the second round by one point.

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In group play, teams earn three points for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss. The top two teams advance to the quarterfinals.

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Brittany Timko - Bio

Timko capped her Husker career last fall with another impressive season. En route to earning her third consecutive Big 12 Player-of-the-Year honors, Timko lead Nebraska in points (29), goals (11) and assists (7). She also left her mark on the Husker record books as she notched single-season records for assists (21) and game-winning assists (8) as a junior. She also holds career records for game-winning assists (17). Timko also chased records for career assists, multi-assist games and hat tricks, ranking either second or third in each category.

 

Timko carried her NU success over to the international level also. She has played with the Canadian National Team since she was 16, including helping the team qualify for the 2003 Women’s World Cup. Timko is a native of Vancouver, British Columbia.

 

Tanya Dennis - Bio

Dennis was an anchor for the Huskers’ defense during her career from 2003-06. She was part of an NU defense that allowed just 89 shots on goal for 23 opponents in the 2006 regular season. Opponents averaged just over one goal per game and only 12.5 shots per contest.

 

Dennis was called up to play for the Canadian National Team in the 2003 World Cup just before the Huskers’ fall season began. She played all 90 minutes in the first five games of the World Cup before suffering a concussion. She made her debut on the World Cup team on Aug. 31, 2003, in a match against Mexico. Also a starter for the Canadian Under-19 National Team, Dennis has a great deal of international experience. Dennis is a native of Mississauga, Ontario.

 

Karina LeBlanc - Bio

Karina LeBlanc, the Huskers’ starting goalkeeper from 1998 to 2000, set school career goalkeeper records for shutouts, wins (50), minutes played (6,308), games started (69) and games played (80).

 

LeBlanc earned numerous awards, including being a finalist for the Hermann Trophy in 2000. LeBlanc has seen action with the Canadian National team since 1997, including time in the World Cup and Pan American Games. LeBlanc is a native of Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

 

Amy Walsh - Bio

Walsh enjoyed an outstanding career for the Huskers from 1997 to 1999. In her senior season, she earned first-team All-Big 12 Conference honors for the second straight second en route to NSCAA First-Team All-Central Region accolades. Walsh’s success on the field was only a small part of her contribution to the Huskers. She earned team recognition for Most Inspirational Player, Aerobic Power, Toughness, Aerial Power and Blue Collar awards from the Huskers coaches and players.

 

Walsh has been a contributing member of the Canadian National team since 1999. She was a starting midfielder for the team in the 1999 Women’s World Cup, and was one of the team’s captains in 2000. She is a native of Brossard, Quebec.