On Day 1 of the 2012 Junior Pan American Championship (Women) there were two Pool A and two Pool B matches, respectively. The first match was between Canada and Brazil. Canada came out firing and scored in the opening minutes off a field goal by Caashia KARRINGTON. Brazil’s defense was relentless and held off the Canada attack until Maddie SECCO put Canada head 2-0 in the 20th minute. Soon after, KARRINGTON score again this time off a penalty corner to make it 3-0 over Brazil. At halftime, Canada held a 4-0 lead over Brazil. In the second half, Canada continued to dominate possession and capitalize on attack with field goals by Holly STEWART and Ashley KRISTEN quickly increasing Canada’s lead to five goals. Brazil did not give up, however, and continued to be persistent on defense. Yet, with Brazil unable to score, the match ended Canada 7, Brazil nill.
The second Pool A match on Day 1 of the 2012 Junior Pan American Championship was between host Mexico and Uruguay. Mexico looked much more experienced and composed and evenly battled Uruguay for much of the first half. While Uruguay held the attacking advantage and was awarded a number of penalty corners. Behind Mexico’s keeper Monica GARCIA GUTIERREZ Mexico’s defense was relentless at preventing a Uruguay score. The match remained scoreless at halftime. In the opening minutes of the second half, Uruguay looked to assert themselves with a goal and the 1-0 lead thanks to a field goal by Soledad VILLAR. Uruguay’s Manuela VILAR DEL VALLE gave Uruguay a two goal lead off a penalty corner in the 54th minute. Mexico did not let up, however, and continued to battle strongly for possession. Lucia LAMBERTI sneaked in a field goal in the final minutes as Uruguay pulled away with a 3-0 win over Mexico.
The Pool B matches on Day 1 of the 2012 Junior Pan American Championship were both 9-0 victories, the first was between the United States and Venezuela, followed by Chile over Paraguay. With goals by Nikki PARSLEY to open and close the first half, the United States had a 5-0 lead over Venezuela at halftime. The United States continued their relentless attack in the 37th minute off a field goal by Heather MORRIS who earned her first international cap during the match. With Venezuela unable to stifle the United States attack, the United States scored three more goals in the second half to come away with a 9-0 win over Venezuela.
The Chile and Paraguay match began appearing as a more even battle for possession than the first Pool B match, but once Chile’s Captain Fernanda FLORES scored off a penalty corner in the 11th minute Chile continued to score and capitalize off penalty corners. Chile had a 4-0 lead at halftime that included goals off two more penalty corners by FLORES and Manuela URROZ, respectively. Chile continued to dominate possession and attack in the second half. Scoring three goals in four minutes, Chile had a 7-0 lead over Paraguay by the 49th minute. Paraguay did not back down, however, and worked to hold off further Chile attack. With Paraguay unable to score, the match ended 9-0 in favor of Chile.
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