Lady Rebel Rafaelle Souza, Brazil Open World Cup Play Tuesday

Photo courtesy Joshua McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics

Fans of soccer will undoubtedly be tuning in and keeping up with the Women’s World Cup as it plays out in Canada over the next few weeks, but Ole Miss fans have an added incentive to watch as former All-America Rafaelle Souza takes the pitch in this year’s cup with the Brazilian Women’s National Team.

Souza, who earned All-America honors in 2013 in her final season with the Rebels, is one of eight players from the Southeastern Conference competing in the World Cup and brings an Ole Miss flavor to the international stage.

Brazil takes on the Republic of Korea at 6 p.m. CT on Tuesday. and be tracked online at: http://rebs.us/O2AFW.

“We are really proud of Rafa and the fact she has continued her professional career and made the Brazilian World Cup team,” said Ole Miss head coach Matthew Mott.  “Although I’m a huge fan of the US Women’s National Team, we will also obviously be cheering very loudly for Brazil because of the personal connection with Rafa. We are so happy to have a representative of the Ole Miss women’s soccer program competing in the World Cup. She’s always been a great representative of the Ole Miss family and has always made the Rebel Nation proud.”

“I’m so excited to see Rafa play,” said Ole Miss teammate and fellow All-America selection Mandy McCalla. “She helped this program so much and I know she can help her team in the World Cup as well. She’s a friend and a teammate, so I will always want the best for her. I couldn’t be more happy for all that she’s accomplished and will accomplish.”

A three-year letter winner with the Rebels, Souza rewrote the record books as she helped Ole Miss advance to the 2013 NCAA Tournament where Ole Miss fell to Florida State in the second round as the Seminoles advanced to the national championship match.

The forward from Salvador, Brazil, finished atop the record books in goals in a career with 44 and points in a career with 108. She also finished sixth in a career with 20 assists over the three-year period with the Rebels.

Souza turned in her best season in 2013 with 22 goals and 50 points as she helped Ole Miss post a 16-6-2 record, the best record in a season through the history of the program.

Following its first match on Tuesday evening against the Republic of Korea, Brazil will face Spain on Saturday, June 13, at 3 p.m. CT. Pool play will conclude against Costa Rica on Wednesday, June 17, at 7 p.m. CT.

Should the Brazilian team advance out of pool play, the Round of 16 begins on Saturday, June 20.

Courtesy Ole Miss Athletics