For Rose Lavelle, this week's U.S. Women's National Team friendly has been a long time coming

There are a few things you need to know about soccer player extraordinaire Rose Lavelle. The Mount Notre Dame grad and University of Wisconsin product hails from a family with a 5-year-old English bulldog named Wilma Jean Wrinkles. Wilma has her own Instagram account, and Lavelle considers the flat-faced pooch her best friend. It says so on her United States Women's National Team bio. "I love her. She's the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life," Lavelle said by phone from Boston, where she lives most of the year now. Another thing to know about Lavelle: She's returning to her hometown with the national team to face New Zealand in an international friendly at Nippert Stadium. Tuesday's 7:30 p.m. outing is the second of two friendlies between the teams in as many cities, but it's Lavelle's first chance to play as a professional in Cincinnati. The standout midfielder can't wait. "It's really exciting just to make the roster and be able to be there for that game. It's something I've dreamed of. My friends and family have been following me around and traveling to watch my games, so to finally be there in front of them is very exciting," Lavelle said. "The last time I played in Cincinnati was probably with Mount Notre Dame or with my club team, (Cincinnati United Premier). It's been four or five years." Lavelle, 22, spent those years becoming one of the most decorated players in Wisconsin history. She was named the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year as a junior and senior -- the first person ever to achieve the feat two consecutive years -- before finishing her career as a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Second Team All-American. The 5-foot-4-inch dynamo led the Badgers in goals (6), shots (74) and shots on goal (31) as a senior. She also tied the team-first mark in points (16). Lavelle worked her way up the national team circuit through the years and realized a goal in December 2015 when she was called up to train with the full U.S. Women's National Team during the last four matches of the Women's World Cup victory tour. Playing with the national team was the realization of a lifelong goal -- and, at first, a surreal experience.