Tisha Venturini

Tisha Venturini is widely recognized as one of the best midfielders in the world. Venturini's playing career both at the University of North Carolina (where the team won National Championships all four years she played) and as part of the U.S. National Team (which won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1996 and the 1999 World Cup Championship at the Rose Bowl) is a testament to her resiliency and talent.

She has over 100 international appearances to her credit and is one of the team's top ten all-time leading goal scorers. In addition to the Olympics and her collegiate career, Venturini was a member of the team that competed at the CONCACAF Championship in New York in 1993 as well as the Women's World Cup in Sweden in 1995.

In college, she was named an NSCAA All-American all four years, and won the Missouri Athletic Club College Player of the Year and the Herman Trophy in 1994. She eagerly awaits the opportunity to help her team reach victory at the next Women's World Cup and the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Her on-field accomplishments only tell part of the story her remarkable life. Venturini joined the National Team in 1992 and has been a major contributor and leader since, achieving 100 international appearances. She is a tireless competitor, and is known as the best "header" on the team and possibly in the world. Off the field, she is always positive, keep the team chemistry ahead of her personal goals.