Following two full rest days Team Canada was well prepared to take the field against Wales. Both teams exchanged pins, shook hands, cheered and then prepared for the opening whistle under wet and rainy conditions in Dublin.
The Canadians seemed a little bit hesitant and nervous right off the bat, but they opened the scoring after a few minutes, with a textbook field goal from Brienne Stairs. The Canadian press forced a Welsh defender to cough up the ball, deep in their defensive end. Kate Gillis quickly snatched up the ball and fed Brienne Stairs at the stroke spot for a beautiful one-time sweep into the net.
Nearing the end of the first half, it seemed that Canada was in control of the game. Goaltender Lauren Logush had only been tested two times, while the Canadians had generated seven shots on the Welsh keeper. The score remained 1-0 at halftime.
With countless chances in the circle, Canada could not find the back of the net for the second time until the 55th minute. A short corner, won by Stephanie Gardiner, lead to Karli Johansen’s third goal of the tour. Johansen drag-flicked the ball perfectly into the low right corner and Canada took a decisive lead.
Canada continued to put the Welsh defenders under pressure, but could not capitalize on any more of their chances. Time ran out, and Canada remained on top.
“A win is a win,” quotes Maddie Secco, “but we have lots of room for improvement.” Canada will get two more chances to bring up their level of play.
Canada plays Wales again on Saturday June 29 at 3:30pm Irish time (7:30am Pacific).
