Carroll Alumna Monica Alvarado. Photo courtesy of TCU Athletics.
Monica Alvarado is playing in this year's FIFA Women's World Cup, representing Mexico for the second time in her career in the tournament. Already underway, Alvarado's squad tied Columbia, 1-1, on Tuesday, and lost to England on Thursday, 2-1. Mexico faces France this Wednesday before Second Stage action begins, starting Saturday, June 20.
Alvarado graduated Carroll High School in 2008 and went on to play for Mississippi State University. The midfielder transferred to Texas Christian University after her sophomore season.
She was a three-time First Team All-District selection, while leading the Dragons to three straight district championships. As a senior she led the Dragons to the 2008 Texas 5A state championship along the way receiving honors as Midfielder of the Year.
Accepting a scholarship to Mississippi State, Monica started every match she played in as a freshman logging an astounding 1,406 minutes while scoring not one, but two game-winning goals in her very first collegiate matches. She followed up both her freshman and sophomore seasons at Mississippi State guiding Mexico to two consecutive FIFA World Cup appearances. The 24-year-old played in her first international contest in 2009 against Brazil.
Changing schools did not slow her down and Monica kept firing on all cylinders starting all 19 games for the Horned Frogs while being recognized as a member of the Academic All-Mountain West team.
The 2015 Women's World Cup takes place in six destinations in Canada. The tournament runs through Sunday, July 5. We will keep our readers up to date on Alvarado's progress as the tournament continues.