OSHAWA, Ont. – With the national women's soccer team looking to secure a spot in the Olympics at the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship in Houston this month, Canadians will be sporting their red and white cheering for their national heroes.
 
UOIT fans will also be wearing a little bit of green, gold and red as they cheer for UOIT alumna Kayla De Souza ('15, B.Ed), who will be suiting up for team Guyana.
 
The qualifying tournament kicks off today (Feb. 11) with Canada taking on Guyana at BBVA Compass Stadium at 8:30 p.m.
 
"As a footballer representing my country is such an honour and unbelievable experience," said De Souza. "Once my teammates and I put on our green, gold and red jerseys it isn't about us as an individual players, it is a representation of Guyana - the country, the people and our families - that's who we fight for."
 
De Souza played two seasons with the Ridgebacks and was an OUA all-star in 2014, the year UOIT won an OUA bronze medal and advanced to the CIS championship for the first time in program history. Playing in the GTA ultimately led her to landing a spot on the national team.
 
"Along with my sister Briana De Souza (Carleton Ravens) and a few other Canadian players, I've been on the Guyanese women's national team since the launch in 2009. Canadian captain Ashley Rodrigues and coach Mark Rodrigues originally contacted me because they were aware of me as a player in Toronto and my fitting Guyanese family background. Eventually coach Mark recruited and invited players from both Canada and USA to participate in an identification camp in 2010. From that point players were selected and placed within the national team player pool."
 
Guyana earned its spot at the CONCACAF championship after finishing third in the Caribbean Football Union tournament behind Trinidad and Tobago and runner-up Puerto Rico. This is the second appearance for the Guyana women's team in CONCACAF championships, having previously qualified for the 2010 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup.
 
"When I was a little girl I always dreamed about playing on the big stage, whether that was nationally, professionally or even just on a scholarship to the states," said De Souza. "Unfortunately the national team dream came to a halt at the age of 13 when I was considered 'too small' to be selected for the Canadian program. Regardless of the unsuccessful national team pool selection, I continued to play and develop throughout my youth and teen years. I turned down scholarship opportunities to the USA for personal reasons and decided to stay in Canada. When the Guyanese national team presented itself in 2009, I couldn't turn down the opportunity and experience. My dreams of playing on a big stage as a little girl finally came true.
 
"With plenty of hard work, sacrifice and dedication I've continued to play and represent my country. I am proud of being a founding original member of the Guyana 'Lady Jags' for six years where we've made history and continue to make history in this CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying tournament."
 
Playing for two years with the Ridgebacks under head coach Peyvand Mossavat also helped De Souza in her development professionally on and off the pitch.
 
"Coach Peyvand and the entire Ridgebacks staff provided me with the opportunity and outstanding experience to compete as an OUA student-athlete. Being a Ridgeback for two years continued to help fuel my passion for soccer bringing me to where I am today as both a leader and mature experienced player."
 
After playing Canada in their tournament opener, the 84^th ranked Guyana squad will take on Guatemala (Feb. 14) and Trinidad (Feb. 16) with hopes of advancing out of the group stage.
 
"I'm really excited for Kayla and so happy she has the opportunity to play in an Olympic qualifying tournament," said Mossavat. "Obviously to start the final qualification process against Canada is exciting, but I'm sure it will have some mixed feelings.
 
"On behalf of the Ridgeback family we're wishing her the best and will be cheering her on through this qualification round."
 
Mossavat said the opening match for Guyana, against the Canadians, is also exciting because it includes seven former CIS players – including the likes of Josée Bélanger (Sherbrooke) and Desiree Scott (Manitoba) who were recently nominated for Canada Soccer player awards.
 
"This is a testament to the quality and level of the OUA and CIS soccer in Canada," said Mossavat. "I hope more kids like Kayla, Briana, Josée and Desiree choose to stay in Canada because they know and believe they can get to an Olympic qualifier or to the national team level through the CIS."