Argentina 14 v Barbados 1
The opening match of the 2017 Womens Pan Am Cup started quickly for Argentina. Three goals by Carina Guzman in the opening 3 minutes had Barbados on their heels. They held for a bit before Guzman made it 4-0 on a beautiful solo effort.
Barbados was at their best when they maintained possession through spirited play by Ayanna Wilson and Cher King. Argentina advanced with their press and forced a series of penalty corners. The half finished on an Argentina penalty corner goal by Maria Nimo to make it 8-0.
With the mid day heat only moderately tempered by the stadium fans, the second half was played at a more controlled pace. Argentina cruised to a 14-1 win and affirmed their status as one of the favourites to win the Cup.
Uruguay 4 v Guyana 3
The crowd at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall swelled to see the home debut of the Guyana against Uruguay. Their spirit was dampened slightly with Uruguay’s Augustina Nieto scoring the opener and Uruguay showing good form with their powerful passing and penetrating runs in the circle.
Guyana raised their intensity and earned a penalty stroke by Marisha Fernandes which was skillfully converted by Trisha Woodroffe to the delight of the crowd. Maria Viana Ache regained the lead for Uruguay and only a great save by Alysa Xavier kept that lead from being extended before half time.
The intensity increased in the second half after the two teams exchanged early goals. Uruguay sealed their 3 points with a penalty stroke goal by Constanza Barrandeguy in the final minutes.
United States 7 v Trinidad & Tobago 2
The mid day heat welcomed the participants of third match of the day. TTO jumped to an early lead with Blair Wynne converting in the 2nd minute. The USA were disciplined moving the ball around the back court but couldn’t find forwards free in the opposing half. The first half ended with TTO holding their slim lead.
The second half started with TRI extended their lead through Zene Henry, but USA were on the edge of a huge shift of momentum. A five goal spurt in 7 minutes had TTO looking for answers. Mary Beth Barnham and Sammy Popper scoring a brace each during that stretch.
From there the USA set their auto pilot and collected full points.
Canada 5 vs Barbados 1
Canada opened their defence of the Indoor Pan American cup against Barbados who had dropped their opener vs Argentina earlier in the day. Canada had their Penalty Corner working well with captain Alison Lee converting two and Angela Lancaster tallying as well. Lancaster added one from the field to put Canada comfortably in the lead at half time.
Barbados fell back into a prevent defence in the second half and held the advancing Canadians. They pushed their press forward and Takirsha Cambridge in particular was able to intercept and generate counter attacks. Cher King earned a Penalty Corner on a counter and that was converted by Tammisha Small to put Barbados on the board. Lancaster completed her hat trick with a closing tally to give the North Americans a comfortable 5-1 win.
Argentina 3 vs Guyana 0
It was the second game of the day for both teams as the temperature cooled somewhat in the open air Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Argentina was looking to score early, but it was Guyana who earned a corner that was defended well by Juliana Rios Ferreyra. Guyana stepped up their press and broke the flowing momentum of Argentina repeated. It took until the 12th minute for Julieta Luna to tally for Argentina on a beautiful solo effort. Maria Narvaez struck quickly again and Guyana called a timeout to plan their comeback from a 2 goal deficit.
The second half featured numerous saves by Alysa Xavier in the Guyanese goal to keep her team within reach. Josephina Castaneda broke through to put Argentina in a comfortable lead. Leigh Sandison pushed forward and earned a late penalty corner for Guyana, but Maria Pastor made a sliding save to preserve the 3-0 shutout win. Full points to Argentina after two matches; they will start day two at the top of the standings
Uruguay 4 vs Trinidad & Tobago 0
Uruguay were looking to jump to the top of the standings but both teams were slow to start their second matches of the day. Uruguay attacked well up the right side with Milagros Algorta but TTO was able to absorb and through Alanna Lewis, switch and generate their own opportunities. Maria Viana Ache broke the deadlock from field play to give Uruguay a slim lead at the half.
The second half started with a darting run by Blair Wynne whose shot sailed wide. Uruguay extended their lead through a well executed corner option by Agustina Nieto. TTO faced a half court press and found Krizia Layne in the circle earning a penalty corner. The subsequent scramble drew an penalty stroke that was pushed wide by Kristin Thompson.
That would be the last chance for Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay finished with two late goals to run the final score to 4 – nil.
