The USA came out firing for a 9-0 win over Cuba to wrap up Day 7. The Americans will advance to the semifinals where they will face Canada. Cuba will cross-over with Mexico to play in the 5-8^th bracket.

USA went up 2-0 in the first quarter over Cuba on penalty corner executions. Linnea Gonzales swept the ball towards goal and the redirection by Lauren Moyer made it 1-0 for the Americans. Ashley Hoffman’s low flick beat Cuba keeper Yurismailis Garcia to double their lead.

Cuba did well to disrupt any momentum streaks for USA as Arlettis Tirse and Brizaida Ramos were key in making several tackles along the baseline. In the 23^rd minute Anna Dessoye had a quick free hit and dribbled to find Mackenzie Allessie. Allessie’s reverse stick sweep lifted USA 3-0.

Cuba had chances at the end of the second half. Yuraima Vera Rojas eliminated three Americans on her way in to the circle. In stride Vera Rojas slipped the ball past the far post for two Cuba forwards but neither of them could get a touch. It was a sign of what was to come as Vera Rojas earned Cuba their first penalty corner. Tirse’s blast flew past the left post to leave the game 3-0 for USA at half time.

Casey Umstead made it 4-0 in the 36^th minute as she had all kinds of time to tee up the ball in the middle of the circle. Vera Rojas picked up a long ball in the third quarter and weaved in to USA territory to earn Cuba another penalty corner chance. Sunaylis Nikle’s shot was blocked by Amanda Magadan leading the USA defensive corner unit.

USA continued to rack up the goals. Danielle Grega deflected in an Ashley Hoffman delivery on a penalty corner in the 37^th minute for a 5-0 lead. Alyssa Manley deflected a Hoffman pass in free play to add a sixth goal, while Erin Matson set up Allessie for a seventh. Sharkey flipped in an eighth goal when she was left unmarked in the middle of the circle in the 44^th minute.

Hoffman connected with Grega on an identical corner play to Grega’s first goal to make it 9-0 in the 53^rd minute.

The USA controlled the game from start to finish to earn their spot in the semifinals where they will face their North American rivals, Canada. The USA will be looking defend their two-straight Pan American gold medals won in 2015 and 2011.