Meghan Schnur's left knee was so bad last year that the University of Connecticut team doctor told her she should give up playing soccer.

Schnur's response?

"I told him he had to be kidding," the 2003 Butler graduate said.

Schnur sat out the Big East Tournament as a freshman at UConn last fall because of her knee, which has no cartilage left in it.

"It's pretty much bone-on-bone now," she said. "It's arthritic, I can't straighten it all the way. I guess it will always be like that and I'm only 19.

"I got a second opinion from my doctor back home and he said I can keep playing if I want. It can't get much worse, I guess. It's more of a discomfort than a pain."

But last year's Big East Women's Soccer Rookie of the Year wants to keep playing - and for good reason. She will be competing in the Federation of International Football Association Under-19 Women's World Championships Nov. 10 through 27 in Thailand.

Schnur is one of 21 players representing the United States in this 12-country event. The Americans are in Group C and play South Korea Nov. 11, Russia Nov. 14 and European champion Spain Nov. 18.

Group A consists of Thailand, Germany, Australia and Canada. Group B is Nigeria, China, Italy and Brazil. The top two teams in each group - along with the two best third-place teams - advance to the quarterfinals.

"We've been learning the different styles of the other countries we're playing," Schnur said. "Russia and South Korea aren't as organized on the field, but Spain likes to play a possession game much like we do."

Schnur is the only female player from Pennsylvania on the U.S. squad. She is the first player from the PA West Soccer Association ever to reach this level.

"Rich Costanzo of Jefferson Hills (freshman at Penn State) was on the fringe and the Bahr boys (former NFL kickers Chris and Matt) from State College played for a while," said Tim McCoy, PA West Director of Member Services. "Meghan is the first girl we've had make the national team.

"I know she wants to play in the Olympics. This is a big step in that direction."

Schnur is not among the U.S. U-19s starting 11. She is playing midfield right now and backs up midfielder Angie Wosznuk, one of four players who were members of the U.S. 2002 team that won the inaugural FIFA Women's World Championships.

The last time a U.S. women's soccer team went to the Far East for a world championship tournament was 1991, when it won the first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup in China.

"I can't wait to see the stadium and the atmosphere," Schnur said. "When we're all lined up, right before the first game, I know I'm gonna be nervous.

"Midfield is a critical position and they're not going to leave the same girl out there for 90 minutes. I'm sure I'll see some playing time."

Schnur, who is taking this semester off at UConn, is redshirting with the Huskies this fall. She scored five goals last year as UConn reached the NCAA Championship Game.

"It was a hard decision to make at first," she said "We went so far last year. I was wavering, then a couple of close friends I have on the team told me I had to go after this.

"It's once in a lifetime. I couldn't pass it up," she added.

McCoy described Schnur as "a special athlete. It takes a high level of commitment and dedication to the game to get this far."

And putting up with a bum knee.

"I run with a bent knee and I know it looks weird," Schnur said. "I've gotten so used to it, I don't even pay attention to it anymore."

The U.S. team recently completed an extended camp in Carson, Calif., during which it defeated an Under-15 boys team in a couple of games.

"That was encouraging because we usually don't beat the boys," Schnur said. "I know we've gotten better and I know we've gotten quicker and faster."

Despite missing some time because of her knee, Schnur scored 55 goals and had 55 assists at Butler. She graduated third on the Golden Tornado's career scoring list.