University of Tennessee Athletics
FORMER LADY VOL LEADS CANADIAN NATIONAL TEAM OVER ITALY, 2-1
June 26, 2006 | Soccer
June 26, 2006
TORONTO, Ontario - Former Tennessee midfielder Rhian Wilkinson helped lead the Canadian women's national soccer team to a 2-1 win over Italy in the squad's first friendly of 2006 in front of a sellout crowd of 4,325 at Centennial Stadium.
Wilkinson made her presence felt early, attempting a cross in the opening minute, where Italian defender Cristina Cassanelli tried to clear the ball with a header. However, she was unsuccessful, sending the ball past her goalkeeper Carla Brunozzi to put the Red and White up, 1-0. For the Baie d'Urfe, Quebec, native Wilkinson, it was her 23rd career international cap.
Canada, in its first match under new head coach Even Pellerud, quickly made it 2-0 a minute later when former Portland star and four-time All-American Christine Sinclair slid a pass to captain Charmaine Hooper, who finished past Brunozzi for her 68th career goal.
The Italians cut the lead in half in the 32nd minute when Sylvia Fuselli put a penalty kick past Erin McLeod to put the her team within one.
The Canadians will continue their preparations for the 2006 Women's Gold Cup, the qualifying tournament for the 2007 Women's World Cup, with more friendlies against teams from Asia, Europe and CONCACAF throughout the summer.
