From the moment she received her first youth national team call-up at the age of 14, Zadorsky has had one goal in mind -- to represent her country at the world's highest stage -- the Olympics.
For six years she seemed to be on the right track, earning a call-up to the senior national team during her junior year in college, but her progression hit a snag and she went two years without seeing her name on the roster.
In the meantime, Zadorsky continued to thrive at the University of Michigan. As captain of the squad she was awarded All-Big Ten Defender of the Year for the second consecutive time.
As graduation loomed, Zadorsky prepared to enter the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft and was ranked as a top-20 prospect by Top Drawer Soccer.
On Jan. 17, 2014, Zadorsky watched as the draft came and went without calling her name.
As a Canadian, Zadorsky would have taken one of the few international rosters spots, filling that spot with a rookie was a risk none of the teams were willing to take.
“I packed up my bags and found my way to Australia,” Zadorsky said. “I’m so glad I did.”
In just one season with Perth Glory of the Westfield W-League, Zadorsky appeared in 14 matches and scored one goal. Perth went on to win the regular season W-League Premier and finish second in the W-League Championship for the first time in the club’s history.
“I learned a lot as a person and a player,” Zadorsky said of her time in Perth.
Those lessons paid off for Zadorsky as she scored two goals against Ecuador in the 2015 Pan American Games in front of former Canada Head Coach John Herdman.
Herdman was so impressed with the young defender that he invited her into the senior team training camp. Zadorsky went on to start and play in all 15 games leading up to the 2016 Olympics.
In August 2016, Zadorsky finally accomplished her goal to represent Canada on the highest stages -- the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Upon finding out she was selected to the team, Zadorsky’s focused shifted.
“I wanted to be a part of a team that went back to back podiums at the Olympics,” Zadorsky said. “I wanted to win a medal.”
After five matches Zadorsky and the Canada National Team stood atop the podium as Olympic bronze medalists.
With the medal Zadorsky checked off another objective.
In a span of three years, Shelina Zadorsky went from being an undrafted player to an Olympic medalist all because of her determination.
“I would say I am resilient,” Zadorsky said of her personality on the field. “As a center-back you have to be resilient, you need to be tenacious.”
That tenacity is something that Zadorsky brings with her to Orlando and with the completion of her previous goal her sights are set on something new.
“I want to get to the championship and win it,” Zadorsky finished.
