Canada sets Women’s National Team unbeaten record with Celebration Tour victory over NZL 1:0

Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team defeated New Zealand 1:0 in their second  Celebration Tour victory in Montreal, QC to set a National Women’s Team record of 12 straight undefeated matches since April 2021. Adriana Leon’s 16’ goal was her third in two games and Stephanie Labbé and Erin McLeod combined for the shutout victory. The win extended Canada’s undefeated streak to 12 matches in 2021, ‎a new Women’s National Team record.

“What I liked is the clean sheet. We definitely said we didn’t want to concede, said Head Coach Bev Priestman. “New Zealand came out more organized and a more difficult team to beat. To get the win, and remain undefeated I’m very happy. I thought the fans were phenomenal tonight. They were very vocal and helped us through the game.”

“This was the first time for me. I’ve never played at home, and that’s an experience I’ll cherish for the rest of my life for sure,” said Gabrielle Carle. “In Ottawa, getting to score that many goals at home was a highlight andbeing able to share the Gold Medal with crowds in Quebec and Ontario was important.”

“I think it was a unique experience. It was the first time my family have seen me play since I was a professional so that was nice for them, but it was nice for me as well,” said Evelyne Viens.   “My life changed and getting to represent Canada is such a chance. It’s just the beginning for me.”

Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXpO29mkROs
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=46765827%40N08&view_all=1&text=20211026

Canada got on the scoresheet early with a goal from Adriana Leon (16’). Jessie Fleming drew a couple of New Zealand defenders to her as she carried the ball, and slid a pass in to Janine Beckie. Beckie’s shot was saved but Leon was there to pounce on the rebound and her follow-up shot trickled in.

Ria Percival nearly equalized for New Zealand in the 26’ with a shot from distance, but Stephanie Labbé was able to get a hand to the high shot and push it over the crossbar, preserving the clean sheet and keeping Canada in the lead 1:0 at halftime.

In the 55’, Jayde Riviere put in a great cross from the wing and found Leon, who was able to get a volley off to challenge New Zealand goalkeeper Anna Leat who made the save.

Canada had a great opportunity to double the lead in the 75’. Quinn sent a ball over the top of the New Zealand defence and right into the path of Jordyn Huitema. Huitema was able to beat the on-rushing keeper to the ball and chip the ball over her from outside the box, but the chip shot bounced just wide of the net.

In the 81’, Quinn played another great long ball, this time switching the field to Riviere who was able to create some space to get a shot away, but the shot soared over the net.

New Zealand had a late opportunity to level the score in the 85’. Hannah Blake hit a strong shot from just outside of the Canada penalty area that went just over the top of the net, but it looked like Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod had the shot covered.

Canada’s Starting XI featured Captain Christine Sinclair, Stephanie Labbé, Kadeisha Buchanan Shelina Zadorsky, Quinn, Deanne Rose, Adriana Leon, Janine Beckie, Jessie Fleming, Sophie Schmidt, and Gabrielle Carle. Head Coach Bev Priestman replaced Labbé, Zadorsky, Sinclair and Schmidt with Erin McLeod, Gilles, Viens, Riviere (47’), Rose with Jordyn Huitema (57’), Beckie with Desiree Scott (73’).

CANADA SOCCER’S WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
Canada are Olympic champions (Tokyo 2020), two-time bronze medal winners (2012 and 2016), and two-time Concacaf champions (1998 and 2010). In all, Canada have participated in seven consecutive editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ (1995 to 2019) and four consecutive editions of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament (2008 to 2021). At Tokyo 2020, Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team became the first Canadian team to win three consecutive medals at the Summer Olympic Games and just the third nation in the world to win three medals in women’s soccer.

Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Youth Teams, meanwhile, have won four Concacaf youth titles: the 2004 and 2008 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship, the 2010 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship, and the 2014 Concacaf Girls’ Under-15 Championship. Canada have qualified for seven editions of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (including a silver medal at Canada 2002) and all six editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup (including a fourth-place finish at Uruguay 2018).