In the first semifinal match on Day four of the 2014 Women’s Indoor Pan American Cup, Canada and the United States played. In front of a full crowd, Canada scored first in the 5th minute off a field goal by Alison Lee. Both teams battled for possession throughout the match. Midway through the first half, behind the strong play of Keeper Kathryn Williams Canada held off a series of United States penalty corners. In the 18th minute, Canada’s Kyesia O’Neale gave Canada a two goal lead over United States. The United States held off a Canada penalty corner in the final seconds of the first half to keep the score Canada 2, United States 0 at halftime.
In the second half, Canada and the United States continued to battle for possession. Both teams had few shot opportunities that were blocked by the opposing defense. In the final minutes of the match, Canada was awarded a penalty stroke. Canada’s Madison Thompson converted the stroke in the 35th minute to give Canada a three goal lead. The United States went running back on attack and earned a couple of penalty corners. Williams however came far out to block the penalty corner shots. After the United States substituted their keeper for a kicking back, Canada capitalized off of a penalty corner as Lee scored her second goal of the match. Kaelan Watson scored in the final minute to make the final score Canada 5, United States nill. Canada will advance to the finals of the 2014 Womens’ Indoor Pan American Cup.
The second semifinal between host Uruguay and Argentina was a battle to the roaring crowd from the start. In the 19th minute, Uruguay received a penalty stroke, but the stroke was blocked by Argentina keeper Laura Del Colle. With both teams largely keeping each other in the midfield, the halftime score remained 0-0. The second half between Uruguay and Argentina was just as much a battle for possession as the first. Again, play remained largely in the midfield. Uruguay keeper Rossana Paselle Decia had a big save around the 25th minute to prevent Argentina from scoring. The crowd continued to cheer loudly for both teams. Del Colle then came up with another save to keep Uruguay from scoring. Midway through the second half, Argentina earned a penalty corner, but Paselle Decia came far out to block the shot. Both teams continued to play incredible defense to prevent many scoring opportunities. In the final minutes, Del Colle made a big save to keep the match scoreless. Pasella Decia the blocked an Argentine shot to keep the match scoreless and send the semifinal into a penalty shoot out.
During the shoot out, both keepers came up strong; with Juliana Rios Ferreyra being the only one to score a shoot out goal, Argentina won the match to advance to the finals with Canada. The winner of the finals will earn a spot in the 2015 Indoor World Cup. Host Uruguay and United States will play for 3rd place.
Please stay tuned to www.panamhockey.org for photos, post-match interviews and live updates throughout the tournament April 7th-12th 2014.
