Small Invited to Join Canadian Women’s National Team on Celebration Tour
10/12/2021 4:49:00 PM | Women's Soccer
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Freshman Nikayla Small was invited to join the Canadian Women's National Team on their upcoming Celebration Tour for the October international window in Ottawa and Montréal, as announced by Canada's Soccer on Tuesday.
The two-match series, which will begin in the nation's capital city, will also kick off Canada's journey to the next FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, with Canada facing the co-hosts New Zealand on Saturday, October 23 at TD Place in Ottawa and then on Tuesday, October 26 at Stade Saputo in Montréal.
"It is a great honor for her and all of the work that she has put in," head coach Tony da Luz said. "She is a soccer junkie and she puts in so much extra work and gets all the tasks done before anyone else. Nikayla is totally focused on maximizing her potential and her opportunities everyday. I am proud of her and she is extremely excited to be in the team with all these veteran gold medal winners."
Small was named one of 26 players for the two-match series, Canada's start for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 and Olympic Games 2024 in Paris.
The Canadian roster features all 22 Olympic champions who won the Tokyo 2020 Women's Olympic Football Tournament in Japan this year.
"I felt amazing when I got the news and I could not stop smiling," Small said. "I started calling my family and friends immediately. I am grateful for this chance and I want to take full advantage of this opportunity."
Small was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 100 freshmen list, coming in at No. 30 on Oct. 4. She has collected six points on four assists and one goal to help lead the Deacs (12-2, 4-2 ACC) to one of the best 14 game starts since 2011 and a No. 23 ranking in the latest TopDrawerSoccer poll.
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The two-match series, which will begin in the nation's capital city, will also kick off Canada's journey to the next FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, with Canada facing the co-hosts New Zealand on Saturday, October 23 at TD Place in Ottawa and then on Tuesday, October 26 at Stade Saputo in Montréal.
"It is a great honor for her and all of the work that she has put in," head coach Tony da Luz said. "She is a soccer junkie and she puts in so much extra work and gets all the tasks done before anyone else. Nikayla is totally focused on maximizing her potential and her opportunities everyday. I am proud of her and she is extremely excited to be in the team with all these veteran gold medal winners."
Small was named one of 26 players for the two-match series, Canada's start for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 and Olympic Games 2024 in Paris.
The Canadian roster features all 22 Olympic champions who won the Tokyo 2020 Women's Olympic Football Tournament in Japan this year.
"I felt amazing when I got the news and I could not stop smiling," Small said. "I started calling my family and friends immediately. I am grateful for this chance and I want to take full advantage of this opportunity."
Small was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 100 freshmen list, coming in at No. 30 on Oct. 4. She has collected six points on four assists and one goal to help lead the Deacs (12-2, 4-2 ACC) to one of the best 14 game starts since 2011 and a No. 23 ranking in the latest TopDrawerSoccer poll.
FOLLOW THE DEACS
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | #GoDeacs
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
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