VANCOUVER – She goes by Tank, a natural shortening of her surname, although the nickname has its origins in her physical style of play and what she jokingly refers to as days as a “child labourer.”

Canadian forward Melissa Tancredi hasn’t been much of an armoured invader or destroyer inside enemy territory so far in the 2015 Women’s World Cup. No goals, no assists, just two shots on target in four games.

But there remains in coach John Herdman an unwavering belief that one of the stars of the London 2012 Olympics for Canada might yet spring a successful ground attack. Maybe even in Saturday’s quarter-final matchup against England at BC Place Stadium.

The Ancaster, Ont., native is 33 now and, some have suggested, a bit past her prime. It didn’t help that she took a nearly two-year sabbatical after the Olympics to complete chiropractic studies.

But despite the presence of forwards Adriana Leon, 22, and Jonelle Foligno, 24, on the roster, it’s the veteran Tancredi whom Herdman started in three of Canada’s first four matches at the tournament.

It’s Tancredi whom Herdman continues to believe can conjure up some of the magic that saw her score four group-stage goals at the Olympics, including two in a comeback draw against Sweden, and assist on two of Christine Sinclair’s three goals in the heartbreaking 4-3 semifinal loss to the United States.

“She’s shown she gets up for big games,” said Herdman, adding that “experience can get you through.”

Tancredi says that when you’ve faced adversity and pulled through in do-or-die situations as the Canadians did in that Olympic tournament, you develop a sense of calmness you can call on later.

“It’s something I’ve really worked on in my game, being more composed and I think that composure comes with a little age, obviously. A lot of it when you’re young is reacting on impulse, getting out on the field and going 90 miles an hour for 90 minutes and then dying.

“I’m more composed now. When things get frantic, I can keep the ball for the team, hold it up just a little longer, look for the right options.”

Tancredi played 77 minutes in the opening game at this World Cup, a 1-0 Canada win over China, was on the field for the full 90 in the scoreless draw with New Zealand, came off the bench for 29 minutes in the 1-1 draw with the Netherlands and played the first 69 minutes in the 1-0 knockout-round win over Switzerland.

“I think it’s gone OK,” she says. “The only thing I ask of myself is, ‘Am I getting better as the tournament has gone on?’ I think I’m on track. I feel there’s momentum in my game, personally, and that I’m doing all I can for the team.”

At 5-9 and 160 pounds, Tancredi isn’t afraid to use her body to challenge defenders. Mixing it up physically has always been part of her game, which suggests perhaps some battles with brothers growing up.

“I wish. I had one younger sister. But my dad (Peter) is a tough guy. He came here as an immigrant (from Italy) when he was 18 and he’s always worked hard. He works in construction, builds houses.”

When she was younger, Melissa worked for dad, laying sod and doing other heavy-lifting jobs.

“I was a child labourer,” she says with a laugh. “So I guess I kind of learned about hard, physical work from him.”

Today, Peter is easily spotted at Canada’s games. He wears a red-and-white flag-adorned hard hat with the words Proud Dad of No. 14 on the front, Mr. T on the side and We Believe on the back.

Tancredi, who finished her schooling in 2012-13 in St. Louis where she tried to stay soccer fit playing with a 14- and 15-year-old boys team, says there’s a bit of a family debate going on right now, though, about where she’ll start a chiropractic practice. She interned in Chicago last year while playing with the National Women’s League team there, but has spent much of the past eight months in Vancouver with the national team.

“I keep going back and forth between Vancouver and Chicago,” says Tancredi. “My parents want Chicago because it’s closer to (their home in) Ontario.”

Tancredi, who has a master’s degree in sports science and rehabilitation in addition to her doctorate in chiropractic, says she’d like to be part of the Canadian program’s medical staff once her playing days are over.

Before then, however, there’s a World Cup semifinal round to get into. And, maybe, a key goal on Saturday afternoon.

“I do feel it’s coming, honestly. When it’s the right time it’s going to come.”

gkingston@vancouversun.com