MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University junior midfielder Ashley Lawrence scored three goals in the Canada Women’s National Team’s 5-0 victory over Guyana last night in the squad’s opening match at the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship Texas, at Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium.

 

A Toronto native, Lawrence scored once in the first half and twice within a two-minute span early in the second half to push her career goal total with the senior women’s national team to four.

 

“I am excited that we got the result as that was our goal to start the competition,” Lawrence, an NSCAA First Team All-American, said following the match. “I think every opposition poses a different challenge, so now that we are finished with this match (against Guyana), we are now ready to prepare for the next match.”

 

Lawrence and WVU teammate Kadeisha Buchanan, a junior defender, earned starts last night. Buchanan, a three-time NSCAA All-American, and the Canadian backline denied Guyana a shot on-goal.

 

The Canadians return to the field on Sunday, Feb. 14, against Trinidad and Tobago, at 4 p.m. EST, at BBVA Compass Stadium.