Canada gets Bronze thanks to two goals from Thea Culley

The bronze medal match of the 2013 Women’s Pan American Cup was between Canada and Chile. Canada earned the first couple penalty corners of the match. And Thea Culley converted the second one in the 9^th minute to give Canada the early 1-0 lead over Chile. A few minutes later Canada earned a couple more penalty corners, but the hard shots were blocked by Chile’s defense. In the 19^th minute, Chile was awarded their first penalty corner of the match, but the pass out went back into midfield. Both teams continued to fight for possession in the midfield. In the 30^th minute, Chile had another good attacking opportunity off a penalty corner, but it was blocked by Canada’s defense. Chile kept the ball in their attacking end and Chile’s Francisca Vidaurre hit a hard back-hand shot from the top of the Circle. With little time left for either team to score again, the match remained tied at halftime.

The second half started with play in Canada’s attacking end and Culley tipped in a shot off the goal post to give her team a 2-1 lead over Chile early in the second half. Play continued in Chile’s attacking half. Canada then tried to get off attacking plays, but Chile regained possession. Chile kept trying to enter their attacking end, but Canada defended well. Manuela Urroz had a nice one-on-one with the keeper, but Canada’s Jessica Barnett just tipped the shot out of play. Canada then rushed back on attack and earned a penalty corner. The shot went wide and the score remained Canada 2, 1 Chile. Play continued in Chile’s attacking half for most of the second half. Chile had a penalty corner in the final minutes, but again Canada defended well. Chile then took out keeper Claudia Schuler and made Sofia Walbaum a kicking back.  Chile kept up their attacking pressure, but could not manage to score. Thus, Canada came away with the 2-1 victory and the Bronze Medal in the 2013 Women’s Pan American Cup. Chile finished in fourth.