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Women - Final - Argentina vs. Chile: 4-2
The Final of the Pan American Cup was played in front of a full house at the Prince of Wales Club, with fans from both teams. In the 5th minutes of the match, Chile earned a penalty corner, immediately putting pressure on the Argentine defense.
During the first quarter, the pressure was from Chile. But the Argentinians managed to weather the storm, and also had several dangerous plays.
At the end of the first quarter, Argentina got their first penalty corner and opened the scoring by María José Granatto.
No goal was scored during the second quarter, but the scoreboard was opened again early in the third quarter, this time for Chile, a penalty corner scored by Denise Losada.
With the score tied at 1-1, Las Leonas began to attack more, looking to make a break to reflect their overall dominance of the game. The break for Argentina came through a field play by Agustina Albertarrio to push the score to 2-1.
The emotion and pressure for both teams were intense during the last quarter of the game, especially when Chile managed to tie the score at 2-2 - again through Denise Losada.
The tie would be broken with just 7 minutes left in the game, when Agustina Gorzelany scored the 3-2 for Argentina. Chile desperately pushed forward to again tie the game, but three minutes before the final whistle Argentina manage to consolidate their victory with a 4th goal from María José Granatto, insuring their spot on top of the podium as Pan American Champions, as well as qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
Women - 3rd-4th - Canada vs. USA: 1-0
The final FIH Women’s World Cup Spain and Netherlands 2022 qualification place available from the Women’s Pan Am Cup 2022 was decided over a 60 minute period in which Canada and USA slogged away at each other, trying to break down each other’s well-organised and determined defences.
There was so much resting on this bronze medal match. Aside from bragging rights and a medal at this prestigious continental event, it was also the final chance for the teams to claim a qualification spot at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup, Spain and Netherlands 2022.
Both Canada and USA had been left feeling deflated after they had lost semi-finals to Argentina and Chile respectively. This was about which team could pick itself back up most effectively.
The pressure on the players showed as neither side seemed prepared to take many risks in the opening stages. The majority of the first quarter saw the teams testing each other and probing for gaps in the defence. Then, with just seconds left before the whistle, Amanda Woodcroft – who hadn’t featured in the semi-final – slotted home from a penalty corner to give Canada the lead.
In the second quarter, the USA showed their usual relentless work rate as they tried to get back on terms with Canada but Canada’s defence was solid and the USA had to beware counterattacks, as Canada continued to drive forwards at every opportunity. Brienne Stairs and Elise Wong were particularly active as they worked to get behind the USA defence.
With time counting down for USA, Erin Matson began to make her presence felt. Her dizzying skills won her team four consecutive penalty corners in the final minutes of the third quarter but a combination of ill-worked routines and the excellence of goalkeeper Rowan Harris saw the efforts come to nothing.
The final quarter continued in the same manner. Matson, Rose Hope and Ashley Sessa were showing their class as they skipped into the Canada circle but the Wolfpack was not going to relinquish a chance to go the World Cup easily. Led by captain Natalie Sourisseau, Canada dug deep, defending heroically and walked away from the pitch with a bronze medal and a ticket to the World cup for the first time since 1994.
Speaking after the match, a delighted Rowan Harris said: ’I am so just proud of this group. To pull this off. I am super excited. I think the way we pulled together as a team was really good and it is a quality that we will hold onto as we go forward. This is a really good feeling’
Captain Natalie Sourisseau was emotional as she paid tribute to her team ‘I have so many emotions. This team has been through so much. For example, they couldn’t train for five weeks before the tournament because of the weather. The team hasn’t qualified in 28 years and it feels pretty special to have done that. Our job was to concentrate on this tournament and the qualification. Now we will plan the next steps.’
Amanda Woodcroft, who scored the winning goal, said: ‘It [the goal] was a team effort and I just happened to be in the right place to put it in the net. Holey-Moley did we work hard today and I am so proud of everyone.’
Today’s result means Canada join Argentina and Chile in qualifying for the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup, Spain and Netherlands 2022.
Final Standings:
1) Argentina (qualified for the 2022 World Cup)
2) Chile (qualified for the 2022 World Cup)
3) Canada (qualified for the 2022 World Cup)
4) USA
5) Uruguay
6) Trinidad & Tobago
7) Peru
Player of the Tournament: Maria GRANATTO, ARG
Goal-keeper of the Tournament: Claudia SCHULER, CHI
Top-scorer of the Tournament: Erin MATSON, USA, 10 goals
To see pictures, game sheets, goals and cards, click here.
