Diane Caldwell Set For FIFA Women's World Cup Debut

7/13/2023 1:57:00 PM

By: Len Skoros

Hempstead, NY - Hofstra alumna Diane Caldwell '10 will make her FIFA Women's World Cup debut Thursday, July 20, when the Republic of Ireland takes on Australia in the first match of group stage play. Caldwell is the first-ever Hofstra women's soccer player to compete in World Cup play.

Caldwell, a native of Balbriggan, Ireland, played for the Pride between 2006 and 2009. She was a National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Region and All-Colonial Athletic Association selection as a senior, and also garnered CAA All-Rookie accolades in 2006. In all, she tallied eight goals and eight assists during her Hofstra tenure.

A defender, Caldwell currently plays for Reading in the English Women's Super League. She has also played professionally for the Hudson Valley Quickstrike in the USL W-League, the Albany Alleycats in the Women's Premier Soccer League, and the North Carolina Courage in the National Women's Soccer League. Caldwell has also played in Iceland for Þór/KA, in Norway with Avaldsnes IL, for German clubs 1. FC Köln and SC Sand, and in England with Manchester United.

Caldwell has been involved with national team play since making her debut at age 14 for the U-17 team. She made her senior team debut in 2006 at age 17 at the Algarve Cup and then played in a 2007 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Switzerland. Caldwell has made 95 appearances for Ireland during her career.

The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, runs from July 20 through August 20.

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