APSU Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – Former Austin Peay State University soccer standout Tatiana Ariza will once again represent her native Colombia at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, August 3rd-20th, in Brazil.
Ariza was one of 18 players chosen Thursday to represent Las Cafeteras (The Coffee Growers), beginning August 3rd against France in Belo Horizonte. Colombia also is scheduled to face New Zealand (August 6th) and the United States (August 9th) in the first stage of Group G.
She also played in the 2015 (Canada) and was on the roster at the 2011 (Germany) Women’s World Cup—also representing Colombia at the U17 and U20 World Cups—and helped her country capture a silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.
In the 2015 World Cup, Ariza helped Colombia make history. She helped Colombia equalize their opening match against Mexico with an assist on Daniela Montoya’s late goal, appeared as a substitute in the 90th minute in a 2-0 upset of France and played the last half-hour of their final group-stage appearance against England—a loss that would nevertheless allow Colombia to advance to the Round of 16 for the first time.
In her international career, Ariza has made 38 appearances, scoring eight goals.
Austin Peay’s all-time leader in goals (54) and points (132), Ariza posted the top four single-season point totals in school history. She was the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year and a four-time All-OVC first-team performer—the first since Samford’s Heather Birdsell (2004-07).
