Chilliwack soccer star Jordyn Huitema got on the field for 28 minutes Tuesday morning, helping the Canadian national women’s team top Norway 1-0 in an international friendly match.
The youngest player on the team at 17 years old, Huitema checked into the game in the 62nd minute subbing out 23 year old Nichelle Prince. Huitema was on the pitch when Christine Sinclair scored Canada’s goal, heading in a cross from Jenna Helstrom.
The game was played at La Manga Stadium in La Manga, Spain.
“It feels great, I think there was something in our game that look very promising,” said Canadian coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller. “For this team to get where we are in such a short period of time is great.”
Huitema heads home for now. She’ll rejoin the team in late February as they prepare to play in the 2019 Algarve Cup in Portugal.
Canada will open against Iceland on February 27 and face Scotland March 1. The Canadians won the Algarve Cup in 2016 and finished second in 2017.
After the Algarve Cup, the team will start preparing for the FIFA Women’s World Cup which runs June 7 to July 7 in France.
“This (training) camp provided us with an opportunity to bring in many players and get a good look at all of them in match action, which is critical as we build towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer,” Heiner-Møller said. “Testing players in different formations and on-field partnerships continues to provide us with information and insight that will help Canada field the best possible team come June.
“In all, this camp was very successful, but we know there is still a lot of work to do, so we are eager to regroup in February for the Algarve Cup.”
See canadasoccer.com for more info.
