Orellana embracing latest opportunity with Nicaragua's women's national team
The second half of the 2021 calendar year for Natalie Orellana has been one marked by success on the soccer pitch. Now, she's answering the call to step onto the international stage.
Today and Friday, Orellana will represent Nicaragua's Women's National team in a pair of international friendlies against Costa Rica.
"It's honestly an honour because I'm so grateful to be able to play for my country and represent my team," said Orellana before departing to join the national side, who are ranked 117th in the world and 15th among CONCACAF nations.
"When I was 15 or 16, I was able to get a tryout to play for them so I went and they liked me so I ended up playing for the U-17, U-20 and now I'm playing for the women's [national team]."
With the games come the opportunity to learn from her teammates, some of whom play in the Primera División de Nicaragua, the top level of the Nicaragua's football system.
"They're all pretty experienced players," Orellana said of her teammates. "Whenever I play with them, I always learn a lot so hopefully I can learn more and become a better player."
The midfielder for the Keyano Huskies Women's Soccer team had a brilliant campaign with eight goals, which tied teammate Amber Deep for the single-season goal record. That outstanding play earned Orellana a spot on the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference's (ACAC) All-Conference Team as the Huskies won their first-ever playoff game as part of their historic season.
"She's a very gifted student-athlete," said head coach Niels Slotboom. "She really took a step forward with her development and this call-up is a fitting reward for her hard work."
This won't be her first appearance with the National Women's Team either, having been a part of the squad at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games. She's also captained the U-17 for a pair of friendly matches where she scored and added an assist.
She's subsequently represented the Central American nation in qualifying for major women's soccer tournaments on FIFA's calendar.
"I remember my first-ever experience with them when I went to go play a tournament," she said. "I cried before the game because of all the different emotions and nerves."
Her most recent experience before this week's games came during the summer. Following her 2021 success with the Huskies, she feels in a better groove to play this time around.
"I went to go play in the summer, but I was out of rhythm," Orellana added. "Playing with the Huskies right now got me back into playing at the same pace as playing with more people competitively; not just training on my own."
Orellana and Nicaragua face Costa Rica Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica Tuesday and then at Complejo Deportivo FEDEFUTBOL Plycem in Alajuela, Costa Rica on Friday, December 3.