SAINT-ÉTIENNE, France – On the eve of the 2024 Olympic opening ceremonies, Summer Games action began for one Gator.
Soccer (Canada):
Canada scored a goal in each half to open defense of its 2020 Olympic gold with a 2-1 win over New Zealand Thursday at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
New Zealand’s Mackenzie Barry scored the first goal of the match in the 13th minute, spinning to put in the corner kick sent to the top of the box by Katie Kitching.
Canada Cloe LaCasse scored in first-half stoppage time to send the teams into halftime knotted at 1-all.
The go-ahead goal came in the 79th minute when Evelyne Viens put in the long ball from Jessie Fleming.
Gator grad Adriana Leon was among Canada’s starters and played until second half stoppage time. She took three shots with one on goal. In the 25th minute, Leon looked to create a chance by pressuring the New Zealand goal keeper on a clearance attempt. Leon got a shoulder on the ball but there were no others in red jerseys nearby in the box to take advantage of the deflection.
Group A play continues for Canada on Saturday versus tournament host France. That match streams on Peacock at 3 p.m.
Look for other Gators in Saturday Olympic action in swimming, women’s tennis and men’s basketball.<https://gatorsolympics.com/>
2024 Olympic Soccer Scores<https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/schedule/football/women?day=25-july>
Gators at The Games
Daily Schedule of Action for July 25, 2024
Gator
Sport
Country
Event
Result
Adriana Leon<https://floridagators.com/sports/olympics/roster/adriana-leon/14675>
Soccer
Canada
Pool play vs. New Zealand
W, 2-1
Started match. Played 89 minutes
