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TEAM CANADA:

Canada Remains Unbeaten on NCAA Tour as Huskers Fall 1-4.

April 14, 2006

The Canadian team finished their long odyssey with an unbeaten record as they won against the University of Nebraska at the Nebraska soccer field, by 4 goals to 1 this afternoon. With their fifth match in eight days, the Canadians showed their endurance and fitness to good effect.

The Canadians controlled the flow of play for much of the contest, and the team was off to a good start when Charmaine Hooper opened the scoring with her goal in the eighth minute of play. Then, in the eighteenth minute, Rhian Wilkinson added the game winning goal. Christine Sinclair added the final two goals of the day for Canada's World Cup squad.

However, Nebraska was very much in the game. They produced five solid shots on Canadian National Team starter Karina LeBlanc, and LeBlanc had to make made several strong saves, including a sprawling dive and punch toward her left to save a goal early in the second half. Nebraska finally made a tally when Jessie Goodell scored in the 71st minute.

Although the Huskers suffered the setback on the scoreboard in their fourth match of the spring exhibition season, Nebraska Coach John Walker said he was encouraged by NU's performance against the Canadians. "We had four or five very good scoring chances," Walker said.

For the Canadians, the match ends an intense few days of practice, games and travel against good University NCASA opposition, and it has all been good experience in the build-up to their World Cup quest. Rhian Wilkinson and one or tow others headed straight to the airport after the game, while the bulk of the team returns to their home tomorrow.