Catalina Perez to Start for Colombia vs. U.S.

EDMONTON, Alta. – When the Colombian National Team plays its first ever knockout round match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Monday night, University of Miami goalkeeper Catalina Perez will be starting in net.

Colombia faces the United States Monday night at 8:00 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, and the game will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1.

“I am so proud of Catalina. From the day she tore her ACL last summer this has been her goal, to get healthy, get back into National Team camp and make the roster,” Miami head coach Mary-Frances Monroe said. “Now she will achieve her dream of starting for Colombia in a game, and that game will be in the World Cup against the United States. I know she will come up with some big-time saves.”

Perez, who has been writing diary entries for HurricaneSports.com while in Canada, will be making her first start at the 2015 World Cup.

After missing last season at Miami due to her ACL injury, Perez will be a redshirt sophomore during the 2015 season.

“Catalina starting for the Colombian National Team is huge for the University of Miami women’s soccer team and the school itself,” Monroe said.