Carmelina Moscato hasn't seen any playing time for the Penn State women's soccer team this season, but it's not because she has done anything wrong. On the contrary, the sophomore midfielder hasn't seen any collegiate action because she is playing at the top level of soccer in the world.

Moscato is a member of Team Canada for the 2003 World Cup.

"I think it's a great honor for Carm," Penn State women's soccer coach Paula Wilkins said. "It's a great honor for Penn State to have a player represented at the highest level."

A member of various Canadian national teams over the past two years, the Mississaugua, Ont. native left the Nittany Lions a week-and-a-half ago to start practice with Team Canada.

"I'm a little sad to be leaving here," Moscato said the day before heading north of the border. "It's going to be tough academically and tough to leave the team, but the road ahead is definitely exciting."

Just 19 years old, Moscato was one of the last additions to the squad, being named to the roster two weeks ago. Though the official announcement came so soon before the tournament began, Moscato said that the team had been in contact with her for a few months for consideration.

Moscato's experience with Team Canada in the past was one of the factors for being selected. While still playing in high school for St. Francis Xavier, she played for the Under-19 World Cup team, the U-21 team and was on the Canadian National team roster that played the U.S. National team in 2001.

As a freshman at Penn State, Moscato continued international play, starting every match in the FIFA U-19 World Cup for a Canadian team that reached the championship game. She also helped Team Canada claim a berth in the World Cup while playing in the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Moscato took measures to ensure a spot on the team by committing to improve herself and even spending time closer to team practice facilities.

"I moved to Vancouver to help improve myself," Moscato said. "I guess I made enough strides in my game that I was selected."

After a warm-up scrimmage with Australia last week, Moscato traveled with the team on Saturday to Columbus for its first game of the tournament.

Canada suffered a 4-1 loss to Germany in which Moscato didn't see the field. She said that her role on this year's team would probably be limited, and that she would probably appear as a reserve late in games or perhaps as a free kick specialist.

Team Canada continues pool play on Wednesday against Argentina, which was drubbed by Japan 6-0 in its first game. Canada will then finish up the first round on Saturday when it takes on Japan itself.

Moscato will remain with the team for as long as they remain in the tournament. Though her coaches and teammates will miss her during her absence, they are certainly rooting for her.

"We are so excited for Carmelina," Penn State assistant coach Melissa Ramsey said. "It'll be tough without her, but we're wishing her all the best."