Caledon’s Ashley Lawrence sets up goal to help Canada beat New Zealand in first women’s soccer match at Paris Olympics

Caledon’s own Ashley Lawrence helped keep Canada in the game as they faced New Zealand in their first match of the Paris Olympics as the team deals with the fallout of a drone scandal.

The Canadian women’s soccer team took the field on Thursday in defence of its Olympic title on Thursday against New Zealand, but were without coach Bev Priestman who took herself off the Olympic Games after two drone incidents.

Two staffers and an assistance coach have been sent home from France after reports of drones filming two of New Zealand’s practice sessions last week, but the controversy didn’t stop Canada from taking a 2-1 win in their first Paris Olympic performance.

New Zealand opened up the scoring on Thursday when Mackenzie Barrie got one past Canadian netminder Kailen Sheridan off a low corner kick. Canada pushed back in the first half, tying the match after a passing play from Olympic Gold Medallist and Caledon’s Ashley Lawrence that set up the game-winning goal in the 79th minute.

Lawrence made a quick pass to Jessie Fleming who fired the ball back to Lawrence, making a heads-up play to Nichelle Prince to tee up Cloe Lacasse to tie the game.

The goal put New Zealand on the backfoot, and another from Evelyne Viens off an assist by Flemming scored Canada the win.

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Assistant coach Andy Spence filled in for Priestman as head coach on Thursday. Despite the drone controversy, Priestman has not removed herself from the remainder of the Olympic schedule.

The Canadian women’s team will have their next game of the Paris Olympics against France on Sunday.