The last match on Day 5 of the 2011 Pan Am Challenge was between Paraguay and Brazil (Women). Brazil was playing for a shot at second place in the standings and a place in the Final match. With many loud cheering fans (for both teams), the match was a fierce battle for possession. Around the 15^th minute, Brazil’s Patricia BOOS went down on the pitch and time was stopped for a few minutes; but BOOS was able to walk off. While Brazil had a bit more possession than Paraguay for much of the first half, Paraguay defended well to keep them from scoring. Paraguay took advantage of an attacking opportunity and scored first off a field goal by Maria SERVIAN GIOSA in the 20^th minute.

Brazil did not let up and only two minutes later, Brazil’s Bruna FERRARO tied the match. With both teams fighting hard for possession for the rest of the half both teams could not manage to score again; and the score remained tied 1-1 at halftime.

Brazil began the second half on the attack and quickly earned a penalty corner. Brazil’s Patricia BOOS put in the penalty corner to give her team a 2-1 lead in the 37^th minute. Paraguay did not let up on defense, but eight minutes later BOOS scored again, making the score 3-1. Paraguay had a few more offensive chances and possession in their attacking half, but could not capitalize.

To fight for a spot in the Final, by having a shoot-out with Guyana, Brazil needed to win by a score of 5-1. Paraguay’s defense held strong for much of the rest of the second half. In the 68^th minute, however, Brazil’s Priscilla MARQUES DOS SANTOS converted a penalty corner goal to make the score 4-1. As time was expiring, Brazil received another penalty corner. Tension was high in the stands. Yet, Paraguay’s defense prevented the penalty corner shot from going in. Thus, unable to score more, Brazil won over Paraguay by a score of 4-1, which was not enough to compete with Guyana in a shoot-out for second place in the standings and a shot in the Final (based on goal differential). And waiting in the stands was Guyana who was ecstatic and will advance to the Final match versus Uruguay. Brazil and Paraguay will play for third and fourth place, respectively.