Titan Legacy: Karen Bardsley - Women's Soccer from FullertonTitansTV on Vimeo.
FULLERTON, Calif. – Former Cal State Fullerton goalkeeper Karen Bardsley has made 15 saves in five matches for England in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, and in addition, the Lionesses made history on Saturday, advancing to the semifinals for the first time in the team's history with a 2-1 victory over host Canada.
Bardsley was forced to leave Saturday's quarterfinal match early in the second half with an eye injury, but according to a report from the Associated Press, is expected to be available to play in Wednesday's semifinal against Japan, the defending 2011 Women's World Cup champion.
A native of Chino Hills, Calif., Bardsley was named player of the game in a 2-1 win over Norway in the round of 16 on June 22, which also marked the Lionesses first win in an elimination game at the World Cup.
Japan is currently ranked fourth in the world, and in the 2011 Women's World Cup, England defeated Japan, 2-0, in group play.
Top-ranked Germany and No. 2 United States will play on Tuesday in the first semifinal.
Bardsley has made 49 career appearances for England starting with her debut on Sept. 3, 2005 vs. Northern Ireland. The Lionesses boast a record of 30-10-9 with Bardsley on the pitch. Bardsley was also on England's World Cup team in 2011 and named to the Olympic squad (Great Britain) in 2012.
England qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time since the inaugural Women's World Cup in 1991, reaching the quarterfinals in 1995, 2007, 2011 and 2015.
In addition, in October of 2014, Bardsley (2002-06) helped Manchester City of the English FA WSL to its first Continental Cup victory in the club's 26-year history with a 1-0 shutout of Arsenal.
At Cal State Fullerton, Bardsley was a four-time Big West Conference honoree, and she was named the league's Goalkeeper of the Year in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
She holds Titan career records for saves (312), save percentage (.839), goals against average (0.84), goalkeeper victories (47) and shutouts (26).
She also helped the Titans to a third round NCAA appearance in 2005 as the most successful team in program history ended the year with a 19-4 record in a 2-1 loss at Virginia. During the 2005 season, the Titans put together a program-best 11-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 27-5 and totaling seven shutouts during that stretch.
During that record-breaking 2005 campaign, Bardsley was part of a defense that set program records for fewest goals allowed (15), fewest shots allowed (161) and most shutouts (12).
In 2006, the Titans returned to the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the second round.
The Titans won two Big West regular season championships (2004, 2005) during Bardsley's tenure, as well as, two Big West Tournament titles (2005, 2006).