Born in Mississauga, Ontario to Sicilian-born parents, Carmelina played her youth football for Penn State Nittany Liona and began her pro career with Vancouver Whitecaps.
It was there she helped her team to their first ever W-League triumph in 2004 before signing with Ottawa Fury in 2005 and heading to Italy in 2009 to play with UPC Tavagnacco in the Serie A.
A venture north to play with Pitea IF and Dalsjofors GoIF in the Swedish league ended her European adventure when she returned to North America for stints with NWSL clubs Chicago Red Stars, Boston Breakers and Seattle Reign.
By this stage Carmelina was a mainstay in the Canadian nation team having made her international debut at just 17 years of age. Having appeared in the 2003, 2011 and 2015 Women’s World Cups, Carmelina won the 2010 CONCACAF tournament, the 2011 Cyprus Cup and received a Bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
The experienced defender was announced as a the final visa signing for the Western Sydney Wanderers in October 2015 and made her Westfield W-League debut against Adelaie United in Round 1 of the 2015/16 season and scored her first goal in extraordinary circumstances: a 93rd minute winner against Newcastle Jets in Round 3.