Wynne’s two goals carry Trinidad and Tobago over the Dominican Republic

Day 6 of the FIH Hockey World League Round 2 Women’s in Montevideo featured a thrilling Pan American Region match-up between Trinidad and Tobago and the Dominican Republic. The match started with play in Dominican Republic’s attacking half.  Trinidad and Tobago’s Captain Alanna Lewis kept looking to generate attack, but the Dominican Republic played good defense to keep Trinidad and Tobago from having many shot opportunities. Cecilia Oflaherti nearly scored for the Dominican Republic, but the ball went wide. Brittney Hingh then carried the offensive momentum and gave Trinidad and Tobago the lead in the 10^th minute. The Dominican Republic’s defense blocked up Blair Wynne’s penalty corner shot at the end of the first period.

The second period started much more intense and face paced than the first period. Both teams were much louder and fighting harder for possession. Lucia Navamuel for the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago’s Kayla Brathwaite continued to battle each other in the midfield. In the 23^rd minute, Trinidad and Tobago’s Orie Trotman received a green card, but Trinidad and Tobago was able to keep Dominican Republic out of their attacking end.

Hingh kept looking for more offensive opportunities, but Dominican Republic’s Manuela Sanchez Guarin and Captain Soledad Del Pino made strong defensive stops. The Dominican Republic’s Agustina Birocho then received a green card in the 26^th minute, but the Dominican Republic also prevented Trinidad and Tobago from capitalizing. At the end of the second period emotions seemed high as the players got louder, but with both teams able to hold off an opposing attack the score remained Trinidad and Tobago 1, Dominican Republic nill at halftime.

The third period continued with the intensity that was felt at the end of the second period. Both teams tried to send balls down field, but ultimately ended up trading possession in the midfield. Birocho broke through to tie the match in the 36^th minute. Trinidad and Tobago immediately rushed back on attack and earned a penalty corner. This time Wynne found the back of the goal and Trinidad and Tobago quickly retook the lead. Wynne then received a yellow card in the 41^st minute. The Dominican Republic looked to capitalize, but Trinidad and Tobago blocked up a penalty corner. Tension remained high as both Captains were called by the umpire to settle their teams down. As time elapsed in the third period, the Dominican Republic earned another penalty corner with Wynne still out. Trinidad and Tobago’s keeper Derry blocked the shot and the Trinidad and Tobago held of the Dominican Republic attack to keep the lead at the end of the third period.

Wynne started the fourth period by finishing her yellow card and then immediately scoring a penalty stroke. The Dominican Republic then earned a penalty corner, but the shot went wide. Both teams continued to fight for possession. Midway through the fourth period, Trinidad and Tobago earned another penalty corner, but De La Rosa came up with the big save. The Dominican Republic continued to battle and earned a penalty corner in the final minute. Marte converted the penalty corner, but with time expiring Trinidad and Tobago came away with the narrow win over the Dominican Republic.

In the other Day 6 match, Kenya and France played. Kenya withstood France’s attacking pressure from the beginning and largely forced France to attack from its left side. Ines Lardeur gave France an early lead in the fifth minute. Audrey Omaido was all over the pitch for Kenya; and Laetitia Canon kept trying to work the ball down field for France. Right before the end of the first period, France’s Captain Apolline Rogeau gave France a two goal lead at the period break off a penalty corner goal.

In the second period Omaido, with teammates Captain Betsy Ommala and Flavia Mutiva, continue to give France problems in the midfield.  Juliette Parent in the midfield kept working with French defenders Marie Munch and Salome Dain to look for ways to generate attack past the Kenyan players blocking up the midfield.

The third period also started with France dominating possession, but Kenya continuing to play solid defense. Kenya’s first big scoring opportunity of the match came on a breakaway by Yvonne Karanja, but France’s keeper Anne-Sophie Daire was there for the save. Karanja had another good scoring opportunity, but Claire Sansonetti helped France to quickly regain possession. With the missed opportunity by Kenya, France’s  attacking intensity increased and Morgane Huvelle blasted a shot in the 41^st minute to make it France three, Kenya nill.

Again, France continued to show more energy after a near scoring opportunity by Kenya. Thus, after a Kenya shot went wide at the beginning of the fourth period, Rogeau scored her second goal of the match of a shot from the top of the circle in the 47^th minute. Despite being down four goals, Kenya did not let up and soon after Rogeau’s goal earned a penalty corner, but the shot went wide. Caroline Guchu then blasted a hard shot, but France’s reserve keeper Mathilde Petriaux came up with the save to keep Kenya scoreless.  With either team able to capitalize off scoring opportunities the final score of the match remained France four, Kenya nill. France will play Trinidad and Tobago for 5^th place; and Dominican Republic and Kenya will play for 7^th place.