In a week of firsts for Chilliwack FC alum Jordyn Huitema, the Rosedale native made her home-pitch debut for Canada’s national women’s soccer team and scored her first two goals.
Huitema hit the pitch for 11 minutes last Thursday in a 3-1 win over Costa Rica. The game was played at Ivestors Group Field in Winnipeg. The teenager came on in the 79th minute as a substitute for Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair and had two scoring chances.
On a run down the left side, Huitema had her shot stopped by Costa Rica keeper Noelia Bermudez and moments later she headed a ball inches over the cross-bar off a Canadian corner kick.
Huitema was back in action Sunday at BMO Field in Toronto, taking on those same Costa Ricans.
Coming on in the 69th minute, the 16 year old scored back to back goals one minute apart. In the 73rd minute she darted into a goal-mouth scramble and found the ball as it bounced off the back of teammate Nichelle Prince. Huitema beat Costa Rican keeper Noelia Bermúdez, becoming the second youngest player to ever score a goal for the Canadian senior squad.
One minute later, Prince fed Huitema a pass from the right side and she buried it to wrap up the scoring in a 6-0 win.
“It is just an honour to be able to play with such an amazing group of women,” Huitema said afterwards. “I would have never gotten those two goals if it wasn’t for my teammates supporting me and giving me those balls to put in the back of the net.
“I am very grateful I am able to share my first and second goals with the women that surround me on this team.”
