Canada’s women soccer team draws 1:1 with Norway

Canada’s womens national team drew 1:1 with Norway in an international friendly match played in Hamar, Norway. Canada took a 69th minute lead through Josée Bélanger’s first international goal, but then Norway pulled even six minutes later on a strike from Cecille Pedersen.

"We played very well today," said Canadian head coach Carolina Morace. "At times we played some very nice attacking soccer and we created many chances to score. I am pleased with the team’s performance today as we improved significantly over our last match and played well enough to win."

The match concluded Canada’s week-long stay in Norway. The Norway camp was preceded by a camp held near Washington, DC. The camps combined provided coach Morace an extended period to work with her squad.

Coach Morace’s starting XI for Canada featured Karina LeBlanc in goal, Rhian Wilkinson at right back, Emily Zurrer and Lexi Marton at centre back, Bryanna McCarthy at left back, Kelly Parker, Sophie Schmidt and Carmelina Moscato in midfield, and Christina Julien, Jodi-Ann Robinson, and Josée Bélanger at the top.

Norway’s coach Eli Landsemarolina selected a starting XI for Norway that featured Ingrid Hjelmeseth, Marit Sandvei, Ingvild Stensland, Toril Hetland Akerhaugen, Lisa Marie Woods, Trine Ronning, Guro Knusten, Isabell Herlovsen, Leni Larsen Kaurin, Lise Klaveness, Cecilie Pedersen.

A fast-paced start had both teams register a shot within the first eight minutes of the match. Canada’s Carmelina Moscato was unable to find the target with her first-time effort in the fifth minute.

Following the quick start, both teams settled into an evenly-played first half.

Canada came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 24th minute as Bélanger released her strike partner Julien behind the Norwegian defence. Julien, who received the ball near the centre line, raced toward the Norwegian 18-yard box and attempted to round the goalkeeper who stood her ground to make the save. Julien kept her composure to collect the rebound, but rolled her shot just wide of the post.

Norway earned six corners in the first half and nearly made one count in the 29th minute. A deep corner eluded everyone until Kaurin directed a header on goal from the back post. Canadian goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc reacted well to make the save with her legs before the danger was cleared.

Canada started the second half brightly and some nice interplay between Julien and Robinson created space for the speedy Robinson whose snap shot was charged down by the Norwegian defence.

Julien was involved again in the 50th minute as Parker fed the ball into her path as she sprinted away from her defenders. Her shot to the short side was stopped by the Norwegian goalkeeper.

Norway nearly struck in the 54th minute when a square ball reached Woods at the top of the Canadian box, however her driven shot flew just over LeBlanc’s bar.

Coach Morace changed two thirds of her forward line in the 60th minute as Julien and Robinson were replaced by Chelsea Stewart and Brooke McCalla.

In the 69th minute, a well worked set piece from Canada unlocked the Norwegian defence for the opening goal. Schmidt played a short corner kick to Parker who beat her defender to the end line before driving a low cross across the face of goal. The onrushing Bélanger did well to hold off her defender and redirect the ball into goal.

Norway answered back just six minutes later as Pedersen turned in the Canadian box and placed her shot beyond LeBlanc into the far side of the goal.

Canada’s final two substitutions saw Bélanger come off in the 86th minute for Alysha Bonnick and Marton replaced in the 87th minute by Marie-Eve Nault.

Canada’s women’s national team’s title sponsor is Winners and presenting sponsor is Teck. The international friendly was played in front of 823 fans at Fart Stadium in Hamar.