Two identical penalty corners from Denise Rojas Losada gave Chile all they needed to claim a bronze medal over Canada, their first medal since 2011. The game marked the 100th international for Chilean defender Fernanda Villagran, while the pair of goals brings Rojas’ tournament total to six. For Canada, the loss breaks a positive streak of medals following a bronze in 2015, a silver in 2019 and before that the last medal coming in 1999.
Rojas Losada’s opening goal came in just the second minute of play after a series of penalty corners that were initiated by a long run from Maria Maldonado. The opening penalty corner from captain Camila Caram was denied at the post by Canada, while the follow up was blocked by Madison Thompson. Finally, on the final re-award the Chilean battery shifted at the last minute to open a lane for Rojas Losada to bring Chile up 1-0.
Canada regrouped quickly and through captain Natalie Sourisseau’s solo run up the middle the ball squeezed through the Chilean defence for Mel Scholz. The resulting shot was rolled wide of the Chilean goal.
Much of the second and third quarter was played between the 23-meter lines with Chile holding most of the composure and resulting possession. Canada showed pockets of passing brilliance but lacked the finer touches to threaten the Chilean defence.
Chile had a number of penalty corners, including a deflection off Manuela Urroz’s stick that hit the cross bar of the Canadian goal. Rowan Harris was looking sharp in goal though, moving swiftly across her goal mouth to minimize space for the Chilean forwards.
Early in the third quarter Chile had two green cards served within a minute of each other but, remarkably, played calm and cool possession hockey to deny Canada any attack despite being up two players.
Rojas doubled Chile’s lead in the opening penalty corner of the fourth quarter. In identical fashion, Rojas swept the ball towards goal and a slight deflection off a defender lifted Chile 2-0. Canada continued to struggle to string passes together in their offensive third of the field, while the Diablas work hard on both sides of the ball and force a number of Canadian turnovers.
Chile did well to hold possession until the final whistle and beat Canada, as they did in pool play, 2-0.
Earlier in the day Uruguay beat Cuba 3-0 to finish fifth place, while Trinidad and Tobago beat Mexico 1-0 to take seventh place.
