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Abbotsford's Schmidt, Team Canada undefeated in preliminary round soccer

Canada defeats Australia, Zimbabwe and Germany to finish first in Group A
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Abbotsford's Sophie Schmidt and the Canadian women's soccer team is undefeated in preliminary action at the Summer Olympics.

The Canadian women are dominating early on the soccer pitch at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Abbotsford's Sophie Schmidt and Team Canada are also off to an excellent start after three wins in preliminary tournament action.

Canada opened with a 2-0 win over Australia on Aug. 3, and followed that up with a 3-1 victory over Zimbabwe on Saturday.

They then defeated Germany 2-1 on Tuesday to finish off the round robin with a perfect record.

It was the first time Canada had ever beaten Germany in international play.

Schmidt played 64 minutes against Germany, 21 minutes against Australia, and suited up for 90 minutes against Zimbabwe.

The former W.J. Mouat Secondary student is seeking her second Olympic medal, after being a part of Team Canada's bronze-winning squad in London in 2012.

Canada now plays France in the quarterfinals on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Canada's 24-year drought in men's volleyball at the Olympic Games ended with a big exclamation mark in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, after the red and white swept the United States (25-23, 25-17, 25-23) to open the tournament.

Abbotsford's Steve Marshall was on the floor for the decisive third set.

It was Canada's first time competing at indoor volleyball since the 1992 Olympics, and the 12th-ranked Canucks made a big splash by disposing of the fifth-spot Americans.

The win marked the first time Canada has ever beat the US at the Olympics.

Marshall and Team Canada returned to the floor on Tuesday evening, and fell 3-1 (26-24, 18-25, 22-25, 17-25) to Brazil.

The former Trinity Western University Spartan and his teammates next take on France on Thursday afternoon.

Abbotsford's Adam Froese and the Team Canada field hockey team opened with a 6-2 loss to Germany on Saturday. They then fell 3-1 to Argentina on Monday.

Canada also fell 7-0 to the Netherlands Tuesday morning.

They next battle Ireland on Thursday morning. It's Froese's first appearance at the Olympics.

Continue checking the Abbotsford News online for ongoing coverage of local athletes at the 2016 Summer Olympics.



Ben Lypka

About the Author: Ben Lypka

I joined the Abbotsford News in 2015.
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