OSHAWA, Ont. – Durham Lords women's soccer player Makayla Rudder (Scarborough, Ont.) has been selected to play for the U20 Guyana National Team at the U20 CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament beginning this weekend in the Dominican Republic.
 
The rookie had a sensational first season with the Lords scoring a team-high nine goals and was named an OCAA east division second-team all-star. She helped the Lords reach the OCAA championship tournament after a 7-2 conference record.
 
"I was very shocked and happy as my family was in the room with me when I got the offer," said Rudder.
 
The freshman striker tried out for the Guyana national team a couple years ago after hearing about it from a friend and everything fell into place for her and the team in 2020. This opportunity is extra special for Rudder who will now have the opportunity to represent the country where her mother grew up.
 
"My next steps moving forward for the Dominican Republic have been to get into the best shape I can so when the competition arrives, I am well prepared," noted Rudder. "I'm ready to put all of my attention and drive into this to make my family and friends proud."
 
There is high praise from Rudder for her coaches and time at Durham so far.
 
"Competing and attending Durham College has helped me achieve this goal because it has taught me how to be disciplined and work on my time management skills," expresses the first-year standout. "Coaches Alex Bianchi and Karen Michalicka both pushed me to the best of my ability and allowed me to perform as much as I could as a freshman player, which I am very thankful for. Without my coaches driving me to bring out my full potential, I would not have been able to get this opportunity to play on the Guyana national team."
 
Rudder plans to take what she will learn from this upcoming national level experience and use it in her sophomore season with the Lords in the fall of 2020.
 
The 2020 CONCACAF Women's U20 Championship is scheduled to take place between February 22 and March 8 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Guyana will compete in the qualifying stage against Mexico, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico as part of Group D. Rudder and the Guyana national team's opening match in Santo Domingo is set for February 23 against Nicaragua.

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