Tara Murray
New Western United women’s goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln is one of the fresh faces in the Matildas squad for two friendlies later this month.
Lincoln, who joined United in the off season, has continued her rise through the Australian ranks.
She was part of the under-20 Australian World Cup squad last month, her second World Cup.
Lincoln was lost for words after finding out she would be part of the senior Matildas squad.
“I’m over the moon, so excited, nervous, all these sorts of emotions come to mind when I think about it,” she said.
“I can’t wait to get in there, to be honest. This is what you dream of for so long, the pinnacle for everyone.
“[It’s] where you want to be, I couldn’t believe it.”
Lincoln was with some of her Western United teammates when she got the big news as they were driving to the airport.
She said she felt pretty lucky to be surrounded by some good people and the girls were so good about it.
“It was a pretty crazy moment,” she said. “We got sent an email to say you’re in the extended squad and then there is the final email where it is like you haven’t made it or you have.
“I got that email in the car on the way to the airport for the Mildura game. I was with Grace [Maher] and Kahli [Johnson] and Zim [Catherine Zimmerman] and I just thought it was oh my god and totally freaked out and a bit teary.”
Lincoln said having been part of Australian under-20 and under-23 teams would hopefully make being part of the Matildas squad a bit easier.
The 19-year-old has played 19 caps for Australia at under-20 level.
“I’ve just loved being part of the under-20s, especially this last circle, and the World Cup,” she said.
“It’s been an incredible journey, very grateful and I feel very honoured to be part of that. I feel as though I’ve been very lucky to get some of that exposure to what a camp is like and what it is like versusing different football sides.”
It caps off a big few months for Lincoln who has decided to make the move to Victoria to play for Western United.
She said she was thoroughly enjoying her time at United so far.
“The professionalism and the facilities, the group of girls, the culture, it’s all been incredible,” she said.
“I’m very lucky I’ve been given the opportunity to come to Western, it feels like everything fell into place.
“I’ve been really enjoying it and I can’t wait to get going on the season ahead and hopefully we will do well.”
