FORT MYERS, Fla. – Former FGCU women's soccer standout Julia Roddar will represent her home country of Sweden this summer at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup set to take place in France from June 7-July 7.
Roddar was one of eight midfielders named to the roster. Sweden was slotted into Group F, which includes the reigning champion USA along with Chile and Thailand. Their first match is set to take place June 11 against Chile.
"What an honor to have the opportunity to play for your country and the World Cup," FGCU women's soccer coach
Jim Blankenship said. "This is just an incredible feeling that we all will never forget. It's such an extremely proud moment for Julia and our program."
After completing her freshman year at Wisconsin, Roddar transferred to FGCU in 2012. During her three-year career with the Green and Blue, she started in all 62 matches the Eagles competed in, recording four goals and 10 assists. FGCU went 21-1-3 against ASUN competition after Roddar's arrival with three ASUN regular reason championships, two ASUN Tournament Championships and two NCAA Tournament berths.
"My life at FGCU helped prepare me for my professional career in so many different ways," Roddar stated. "At FGCU we were offered top class facilities, treatment and practices were a huge part, but also the school spirit and dedication that all students had there made me try my hardest in the classroom and on the field. FGCU has a big place in my heart and I would play four more years in a heartbeat if I could. Representing my country is the best feeling ever and I'm proud that I could make it all the way to the top."
FOLLOW ALONG
For constant, news, photos, videos and updates you can follow the women's soccer team on Twitter @FGCU_WSoccer, on Instagram @FGCU_WSoccer or on Facebook: Facebook.com/FGCUWSoccer. You can also find FGCU athletics on YouTube by visiting YouTube.com/FGCUEagles.
COACH JIM BLANKENSHIP
A veteran of over two decades in collegiate coaching, head coach Jim Blankenship, who was named the ASUN Coach of the Year in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, has built FGCU women's soccer into a yearly contender in the ASUN Conference and a rising program in the South Region in just 12 seasons. Blankenship started the program in 2007 and has since guided the Eagles to 11 double-digit win seasons, culminating with ASUN Regular Season Championships in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. In 2011 and 2012 he also led the Eagles to back-to-back ASUN Tournament titles and became the first team in the history of the university to make it to the NCAA Tournament. The Eagles went on to win the 2014 ASUN Tournament and hosted the first NCAA Championship event on campus. The Eagles earned their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance with the 2015 ASUN Tournament Championship and won their first NCAA game at USF in 2015 while finishing 24th in the nation. In 2016, the Eagles made it three-consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament with a third-straight ASUN Tournament title. A year later, the Eagles became the first ASUN women's soccer program to make four-straight NCAA Tournaments with another tournament title in 2017. Blankenship has guided FGCU to a 156-55-23 (71.6 W%) overall record through the first 12 seasons of the program's existence, including a 76-14-14 (79.8 W%) mark in the ASUN. Blankenship's impressive career record of 396-126-34 (74.3 W%) over 26 seasons has come while leading FGCU, the University of Miami, Lynn University and St. Thomas University.
#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
