The Canadian Women's National team captured their second Cyprus Cup championship in the past three years after defeating New Zealand 1-0 thanks to a 71st minute strike from former Fury W-League midfielder Diana Matheson. After playing to a scoreless draw through 45 minutes that saw Canada own most of the chances, they took complete control in the second half and made goalkeeper Karina Leblanc's job very simple.

Fury Youth graduate Christina Julien started for Canada and while she failed to score for the first time in this tournament she certainly remained a threat on the field. Julien's 3 goals, which all proved to be game winning goals helping lead Canada to a 3-0-0 record in the round robin and a date in the championship final for the third consecutive year. Canada had won the title in 2008 before falling to England in last year's championship game.

It was exactly a year ago that Fury Youth graduate Christina Julien first donned the Canadian colours and set foot on the field to represent Canada at the Cyprus Cup. There, Julien achieved what many only dream of doing - scoring in her first game, on her first shot no less. Now, returning to the Cyprus Cup a year later she has led Canada back to the Championship final for a third consecutive year.

On March 3 the Canadian Women’s National team will face New Zealand in the championship final thanks in large part to three crucial goals from Christina Julien, better known as Corky to her teammates. All three goals proved to be game winners in victories over Switzerland (2-1), reigning Cyprus Cup champions England (1-0) and South Africa (2-1). 

The Canadian Soccer Association announced earlier last month the 24-player roster to represent Canada at the Cyprus Cup. One-third of Canada's roster is made up of current and former Fury W-League players that include Robyn Gayle, Christina Julien, Diana Matheson, Carmelina Moscato, Marie-Eve Nault, Kelly Parker, Sari Raber and Rhian Wilkinson.

It is with this Fury firepower that the team currently finished round robin with a perfect 3-0 record - (after beating South Africa 3-0 earlier today).  Returning Fury W-League player Christina Julien has been red-hot throughout the tournament, scoring against South Africa while also bulging the twine in the 2-1 victory over Switzerland and netting the lone winner in a 1-0 victory over England.

Christina Julien's 9th minute tally was all that Canada needed en route to their 1-0 victory over the reigning Cyprus Cup champions from England. The goal is Julien's second of the tournament and second game winner as Canada has now earned a spot in Wednesday's Cyprus Cup Final. Julien has has tremendous success at the Cyprus Cup over the past two years. Last year she tallied her first international goal for Canada, in her first-ever game, on her first-ever shot. Fast-forward a year and Julien is back at it again and now how three goal in international play for Canada. Julien and her teammates will close out round-robin play on Monday against South Africa.

The Opening Day of the Cyprus Cup kicked off on Wednesday with all 8 teams in action that saw 12 Fury representatives in action for their respective countries. Canada opened group play against Switzerland and found themselves behind 1-0 after Lara Dickenmann put the Swiss ahead in the 23rd minute. Only days after tallying her 100th career international goal, Christine Sinclair knotted things up 3 minutes later on a penalty kick and the Fury's Christina Julien, who notched 11 goals in the W-League in 2009, slotted home the winner early in the second half (53rd minute) to give Canada a 2-1 victory. Canada will now prepare to face last year's tournament champions, England, who were 1-0 victors over South Africa on Day 1.