Semifinal stage set with Argentina playing Canada, USA against Chile  

The final round of pool-play action confirmed the semifinals for the 2017 women's Pan American Cup. Chile beat Uruguay to come second in Pool A, behind Argentina. Canada and USA both won their matches but USA moves to the top of Pool B on goal differential. Brazil will play Uruguay for seventh place.

Pool B WOMEN: USA vs Brazil (9-0)

Kat Sharkey opened the scoring for USA as she picked up a loose ball in the circle and weaved her way along the baseline only to draw Brazilian keeper Teska Tuijit and push the ball in for a 1-0 lead. Sharkey was denied three minutes later on a penalty corner strike that was saved by defender Luciana Peralta. On their next penalty corner Brazil’s Ursula Machado dos Santos made a save on a drag flick but the ball popped loose for Jill Witmer to flick in for a 2-0 USA lead. Just before the first break USA tallied again on a penalty corner after Michelle Vittese’s sweep shot ricocheted in front of the net and Taylor West was there to bury the ball for a 3-0 advantage.

USA had four penalty corners in the second quarter but were unable to capitalize thanks to the strength of Tuijt in goal. The Americans did find their fourth in free play when Vittese found Sharkey in the circle. Sharkey spun to keep possession and patiently waited for Loren Shealy to join the play and the forward made no mistake to give USA a 4-0 lead entering half time.

In the third quarter USA as able to net another three goals. Sharkey got on the board again tapping in a cross from Jill Witmer to make it 5-0, while the Americans had a flurry of penalty corners. After a miss trap and a finish that went wide, Vitesse’s sweep was deflected perfectly by Witmer to make it 6-0. Just before the 45-minute mark, USA midfielder West put on a show, dancing in from the right side and finishing upright on the back-hand for a 7-0 lead entering the final quarter.

USA scored the all-important eighth goal on a penalty stroke. The goal secured their spot at the top of Pool B beating out Canada in goal differential. West flicked the ball stick side and high for her third of the game. Shealy scored in the 58^th minute for her second goal, making it 9-0. The No. 4-ranked USA now move on to the semifinals where they will match up with Chile. Argentina will now play Canada in the other semifinal. Brazil and Uruguay will play off for seventh place.