USA vs Uruguay – Women
Starting the game under cloudy skies, both teams lined up for what proved to be an exciting clash. A win in this game for either team would mean they take the second spot in Group A and would face the already qualified Chile from Group B. With everything to play for, neither team seemed to have control of the game in the first quarter and the lone penalty corner opportunity earned by USA would bear no fruit as it remained 0-0 at the break. The second quarter would be the difference maker and would establish USA as the dominate team in this match up. They were flamboyant and exuded class as they maintained possession and outplayed their opponents. Olivia Bent-Cole and Daniela Mendez-Trendler buried two penalty corners less than two minutes apart in the 21st and 22nd minute respectively to push USA to a 2-0 lead in the second quarter. Their lead was extended in the 3rd quarter by one goal via another moment of brilliance from Bent-Cole. Despite being down 3-0, Uruguay continued to attack through the middle of field but was simply outplayed by their US opponents who looked physically stronger and fitter. A glimmer of hope for Uruguay would come in the 52nd minute when Elisa Civetta converted a penalty corner. However, despair would quickly follow as USA’s Abigail Tamer scored a field goal in the 53rd minute to solidify USA’s lead. 4-1 would be the final score and with this result, USA not only qualified for the semi-finals of this tournament but also the Junior World Cup to be hosted in Chile later this year.
Chile vs Guyana – Women
The result of this game would be of no consequence to the tournament and a win therefore meant that Chile would continue their 100% record. It didn’t take them long before the deadlock was broken in the form of a short corner by Martina Lira in the 3rd minute and this goal seemingly set the tone for the afternoon as Chile further extended their lead, with Lira adding to her tally and Laura Miller providing a third goal in the 10th and 15th minutes respectively. Chances continued to pour in for Chile as they showed their dominance, however, Guyana tightened their defense as we headed into the half at the same score of 3 to nil. As the third quarter ensued, the defensive effort put forward by Guyana in the second period, became nonchalant and Chile successfully dispatched their 4th goal through Francisca Irazoqui. They went on to increase their tally from build-up play which came through the center of the field, with a 5th goal from Josefina in the 40th, just before the ending of the period. Going into the final period of this encounter, Chile continued to apply pressure as they firmly had a stranglehold on this game. This pressure paid dividends as Monserrat Obon got her name on the score sheet in the 49th minute. Victoria Arrieta added to the scoreline with a brace in the 58th and 59th minutes, completing the 8-nil rout. The result clearly meant that Chile’s record remained intact and that they would play the United States in the semifinals of the tournament this coming Sunday.
Barbados vs Canada – Women
The biggest crowd of the day congregated to witness the home side’s game against Canada. Both teams were off to an unusually slow start in cooler afternoon conditions. Canada, already qualified semifinalist, quickly changed the pace of the game and pushed the Barbadian ladies back deep into their half. The game would remain in Barbados’ half for approximately 90% of the quarter. Attacking through the middle and down the flanks, Canada continued to penetrate their opponent’s “D” forcing goalie Ysobel Jones to make some top class saves. Having found their riddim, the team in red passed the ball around and netted their first goal via Mallory Mackesy in the 10th minute. Continuing to press high, another goal would come Canada’s way when Brooke Mccusker put away her opportunity in the 12th minute. Canada continued their destruction in the second quarter scoring 4 goals within 8 minutes. Nora Struchtrup would score 2 goals in the 21st and 28th minute of play. Mallory Mackesy would again add her name to the score card in the 23rd minute and teammate Imogen Govan netted her opportunity less than 1 minute later to push Canada 6-0 ahead at the half. The goal infested game would continue in the third quarter with Nora Struchtrup scoring her hat-trick goal of the game. Not to be outdone Allison Kuzyk added her name to the score sheet to make it 8-0 at the end of the 3rd period of play. Canada would score 3 more goals through Mackesy (hat-trick), Struchtrup and Kennedy in the 47th, 48th and 50th minute of the game to push Canada to an 11-0 victory against the home side. Facing another defeat, the young inexperienced team have yet to score a goal in the tournament. However, credit should be given to the ladies in yellow who received a standing ovation from fans as they showed determination and pride through an incredibly difficult game.
