In sports, there are very few things that can compare to representing your home country on an international stage, and for Oregon freshman Julie Armstrong, there is no greater feeling in the world.
She was originally born in Dundee, Scotland, but after her parents traveled to Canada during the holidays when she was 3 years old, the Armstrong family immediately found its next home. The following year, they moved to British Columbia, where Julie began playing with the Ladner Soccer Association’s Micro Soccer program. Over the next several years, Armstrong began playing with her youth club team, Surrey United, before joining the Vancouver Whitecaps development system at the age of 12.
 
“Everyone is intense and loves the sport,” Armstrong said of her European background, “and I receive so much support from my family, it’s incredible.”
 
On May 1, 2008, she signed with the Whitecaps for good, scoring two goals in the seven matches that she played. But later that year, Armstrong earned the opportunity of a lifetime as she signed with Canada’s U-20 National Team.
 
“I think a great deal of her experience has come from actually playing the game,” Oregon head coach Tara Erickson said. “But she’s also a huge fan of watching soccer as well.”
While playing for the Canadian national team, Armstrong contributed to the win at the 2008 CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championships in Puebla, Mexico and was also able to represent Canada at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile.
 
Unfortunately for Erickson and the rest of the Ducks squad, this meant they had to wait an extra year to get Armstrong to Eugene to begin training with the team because of her Canadian National team commitments.
“We all appreciate and respect Julie for playing for her national team,” Oregon senior Teresa Bowns said. “It is an awesome accomplishment, and we all know it takes a lot of work to make it that far.”
 
Last year alone Armstrong visited China, Cyprus, France, Mexico and Chile while traveling with the team, but once she arrived in Eugene last January, she had no trouble settling in with the Oregon squad.
 
Through the first 13 games of her collegiate career, Armstrong has scored two goals, leads the team with six assists and ranks second in points with 10.
 
“She’s had a huge amount of success over the past couple years,” Erickson said.
 
Armstrong’s 5-foot-10-inch frame and athleticism — she also played basketball and volleyball in high school — has made her a standout target player for the Ducks this fall. And her experience has shown through on the field.
 
“Julie definitely strikes me as someone who expects to better herself,” Bowns said. “She is always talking about how she can get better, and her passion for the game rubs off on everyone.”
 
Armstrong admitted she is constantly putting pressure on herself to perform and show her coaches and teammates that she can compete and make a positive impact on the field.
But it’s that kind of mentality that got her onto the international stage at home.
 
“I love playing for my country,” Armstrong said. “It’s the best feeling. Just having the red jersey on and looking around at the talent that is on the pitch is overwhelming.”
 
Like any freshman, there have been a few aspects of college life that Armstrong has been getting used to since she arrived on campus. At this point last year, she was able to focus solely on soccer, whereas she now has to incorporate school as well. There have even been some adjustments to the collegiate game.
 
“It’s different in the way that we prepare all year round,” Armstrong said. “Basically for only 10 matches.”
 
And with only seven of those conference matches remaining, the Ducks will have to bounce back from a tough weekend opening weekend to Pac-10 play as they head to Corvallis to take on the Oregon State Beavers on Friday, Oct. 16. But with Armstrong playing to her high standards, the outlook is bright.
[email protected]