Footballers Erin McLeod and Ella Masar get married and hit back at the internet trolls who abused them

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Footballers Erin McLeod and Ella Masar have got married
Despite many well wishes from fans, some people took exception to their happiness and abused the couple on social media
Masar gave an impassioned response via her Instagram account, pointing out how happy she was with her new wife
McLeod played a key role in Canada's run to the Women's World Cup quarter-finals earlier this summer

Published: 11:36 EST, 14 July 2015 | Updated: 23:38 EST, 14 July 2015

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Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod and American striker Ella Masar have got married - and hit back at the internet trolls who made homophobic comments.

While the couple, who both play their club football with Houston Dash in the National Women's Soccer League, did receive plenty of congratulatory messages on their special day from fans, there were some other individuals who took exception to their happiness and berated them on social media, peppering their wedding photos with abusive comments.

Masar responded via her official Instagram account, 'For all the congratulations, love, and support thank you. Erin and I feel overwhelmed and blessed with everyone that has reached out... Also, to the other messages, thank you too.

McLeod (left) and Masar (right) got married in Canada, where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2005

Unfortunately, the pair were subject to some rather unsavoury comments on social media

'Thank you for praying for me and reinforcing my own prayers because as you pray, Lord please help Ella, allow her to see her sin for loving that woman, for respecting her, being faithful, honouring her, etc ...

'Know I am saying the same thing, my Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me find my better half, for finding someone that strengthens my faith and allows me to be the person I always imagined. Thank you for teaching me what truly loving someone and others is all about, amen.'

Masar, who is a practicing Christian, has acknowledged the sometimes conflicting views between her faith and sexuality and said, 'Yes I know she is a woman. Yes I, hear you, it is wrong, Yes I know I am sinning. Yet, please tell me who can throw the first stone?'

Erin and Ella have their own show on Houston Dash's YouTube

Footballers Erin McLeod (left) and Ella Masar (right), who play for Houston Dash, have got married

On their respective Instagram feeds it appeared the negative messages had been deleted, although one user bryce.willoughby, wrote under the couple's photo: 'God made Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve.'

Masar and McLeod joined Houston Dash from Chicago Red Stars in January last year in the same draft selection.

McLeod, who has earned 109 senior international caps for Canada, played a key role in her country's run to the Women's World Cup quarter-finals this summer, a tournament which they hosted.

She is is a graduate of Penn State University and an ambassador for the sports initiative programme Athlete Ally that helps to promote racial and sexual diversity.