A Fredericton-area soccer star is representing Canada on the world stage as the national Under-20 team competes in the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup.

Dayle Colpitts, 20, is a goalie for Team Canada at the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup of Soccer in Kobe, Japan.

She said she's excited to be a part of the national team.

"As an athlete, I don't think there's any bigger honour than representing your country," Colpitts said.

It's been a long journey for Colpitts, who started playing soccer with the Fredericton District Soccer Association at the age of four and is now the backup goalie on the Under-20 national women's team.

“There’s always a bit of nerves, but usually after the whistle, you tend to forget about everything else except the task at hand,” Colpitts said.

“They’re good nerves.”

She said the team prepared long and hard for the competition and feels a responsibility to reflect that on the field.

Colpitts, now a student athlete at Virginia Tech, said besides playing with the team, they play with soccer clubs such as the W League, to prepare. She played in Colorado this summer.

Team Canada defeated Argentina 6-0 in its opening game on Monday. The victory came not long after Canada earned a bronze medal in women's soccer in London.

Colpitts said the Under-20 women are using the senior team as inspiration.

“It’s a really exciting time for soccer in Canada. We’re all really proud of our senior team with their performance in the Olympics and obviously we’re extremely motivated ourselves,” she said.

Team Canada’s next match is Thursday at 7 a.m. against Norway and will air on CBC TV.

To prepare, besides practising, Colpitts says they've watching video on the Norway team to see how the team plays.

North Korea is also in Canada's group in the tournament.

The top two teams in the group will advance to out of this stage.

Canada will be hosting the next women's World Cup in 2015. Moncton will be one of the host cities when the tournament comes to Canada.