2015 Summer Universiade: Canada shuts out France in tournament opener

GWANGJU, South Korea (Team Canada) – The Canadian women's soccer team passed their first test at the 2015 Universiade tournament, defeating France 2-0 Thursday at the Boseong Public Stadium.

Gwangju 2015 website: www.gwangju2015.com

Team Canada website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/universiade/summer/2015/index

Team Canada Twitter account : @CDNUniversiade

Despite a slow start, the team in red and white was able to get their game going against a technically strong French formation. Joëlle Gosselin of Quebec City and Heather Lund of Red Deer, Alta. netted Canada's goals.

"Credit to the girls, they worked so hard to stick with our game plan," said Canada's bench boss Peyvand Mossavat. "We knew we were going to be playing against a very technical team. France played fantastic football, but we fought for 90 minutes and we knew if we stayed in there and minimized our errors, we could get a result. I am proud of our team."

Canada played on their heels for the first fifteen minutes, as the French dominated possession. A superb diving save from Marie-Joëlle Vandal (Longueuil, Que.) in the 10^th minute kept the score even. "That was a world-class save, which kept us in the game," insisted Mossavat. 

The red and white then found their rhythm, taking advantage of a few breaks in the opponents' territory. Heather Lund spotted Gosselin between two defenders in the 38^th minute. The Laval Rouge et Or striker ran down the right flank, dribbled past the last defender and kicked the ball in the back of the net, giving Canada a 1-0 lead at the half.

'Les Bleues' elevated the pressure in the second half, mounting multiple threatening attacks, each of them repelled by the Canadian defence. Then, Gabrielle Lapointe of Montmagny, Que. headed the ball towards the goal on a corner kick on the 87^th minute. The keeper couldn't control the rebound, and Lund was able to propel the ball into the net, confirming Canada's victory.

After the game, Lund, a University of Alberta student, mentioned her teammates always believed in themselves. "We were the underdogs, as is often the case. But we knew that with the practicing we have been doing and the group of girls we have, we were capable of anything. It's unbelievable," said Team Canada's captain.

Lund still had a big grin on her face, following her goal. "There was a big rebound in front of the net and I just saw the ball sitting there. I just remember thinking 'hit this as hard as you can!' It's such an exciting feeling, I don't have any words to describe it now."

The women's soccer team will continue its tournament on Saturday, July 4 at 4:30 p.m. (3:30 a.m. Eastern) when it faces South Africa, who dropped its tournament opener 1-0 against the USA.

Boxscore

Source: CIS