Canada tops Jamaica in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying

Nichelle Prince scored twice to help Canada beat Jamaica 2-0 on Friday night in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament.

Prince scored her first goal in the 33rd minute when a Jamaican defender headed the ball down from a Canadian lob into the box. That header went straight to Prince's feet and she took a step before laying into the ball and driving it into the net.

Her second goal came in the 80th minute.

Adriana Leon's through ball found its way to Prince and she powered past the Jamaican defender marking her before tapping the ball past the goalkeeper.

"First and foremost, happy we got the W," said defender Shelina Zadorsky. "Obviously important to start with a clean sheet as well. Credit to Jamaica, they were organized and they hit us on the counter, it looked dangerous at times."

Canada plays Cuba on Monday.

It was the Group B opener for both teams.

Earlier at H-E-B Park, Costa Rica routed Cuba 8-0.

In Group A play Thursday in Cary, North Carolina, the defending World Cup champion United States beat Mexico 6-0, and Panama topped Trinidad and Tobago 3-0.

The top two in each group will advance to the semifinals Oct. 14 in Frisco. The final top three will qualify for the World Cup next year in France, and the fourth-place team will face Argentina for a spot.