Canada: Pan American Cup – Day 2 Recap

Canadians drop games to Argentina women, Chile men on Day 2

Montevideo, Uruguray – The Canadian women dropped a 4-0 decision to the already-qualified Argentina women today, while the men put on a brave battle but ultimately fell 2-0 to Chile.

Defence doubles down as Wolfpack hold No. 2-ranked Leonas to four

Following their shutout victory against Paraguay just two days earlier, the Canadian women had to rely on experience and patience to hold the powerhouse Argentina side to a 4-0 margin. While the game was very much played in Canada’s end, the Leonas had to be persistent to find their way in.

Argentina scoring specialist Agustina Gorzelany made the game 2-0 in the opening quarter, burying a re-award penalty corner in the seventh minute and a penalty stroke in the 13th. Outside of those moments, Canada were learning quickly in the first half showing patience in defending and working hard to keep the Leonas outside of their circle. Rowan Harris’ commanding voice organized her defence of Elise Wong, Sara Goodman, Anna Mollenhauer, Kathleen Leahy and Libby Hogg who were nothing but busy all game.

A scoreless second quarter was much to the credit of their defensive efforts. Midfielders Grace Delmotte, Kenzie Girgis and Brooke McCusker applied pressure from behind once their line was broken, but despite causing turnovers Canada was unable to muster much possession going forward.

In the third quarter Zoe Diaz got the final touch on a counter-attack that sprung the classy Majo Granatto on a run and her sweep from the right side made it’s way through traffic to triple the Argentine lead. On a counter-attack of their own, Girgis carried the ball up the center of the pitch and crafted some space for Thora Rae who threw the ball towards goal. Dani Husar’s deflection looked good but Leonas keeper Mercedes Artola looked sharp to make the stop on the goal line.

Argentina made it four after a penalty corner flick went off the face mask of post player Leahy, and Gorzelany completed her hattrick with an expert penalty stroke to the top corner. Despite giving up four, Canada showed lots of improvement and it was a good test for the youth on the team to see the gaps they need to help close.

Canadian men drop 2-0 decision to Chile in physical battle

In their second game of the tournament, the Canadian men dropped a 2-0 decision to Chile, who were playing in their first game of the tournament. The game’s opener came in the seventh minute on what started as a penalty corner. Juan Amoroso’s flick was blocked by a brave Thomson Harris, but the ball fell perfectly for José Maldonado whose shot hit Canadian defender Gavin Bains on the goal line. The resulting penalty stroke was buried by Maldonado for the 1-0 Chile lead.

From there the game was scoreless for 38 minutes as both sides proved physical to break past. Both teams had penalty corner chances with one less defender, the first for Chile as Ethan McTavish’s pads denied Amoroso again, while Robin Thind drew what became three penalty corners in succession. Nils Strabucchi ran down all three with big deflensive blocks for the Chileans.

In the 41^st minute, Canada went down to 10 players with Taylor McCulloch picking up a yellow card. While down a player, an errant turnover from the Chilean backfield led to Canada’s best attack of the game. Sean Davis charged up the middle of the field setting up Thind a shot and two rebound attempts, all denied by the experience of keeper Adrián Henriquez.

In the final minutes of the third quarter Chile pressed for a second and were rewarded. Raimundo Valenzuela’s flare on the right side led to another penalty corner chance. McTavish again denied Amoroso’s low flick but Andres Pizarro was there to tap in the rebound and make it 2-0.

Canada made it interesting in the final minute of the game earning a penalty corner but Brendan Guraliuk’s flick was denied by the Chilean defence. Canada pressed hard but could not find the back of the net leaving Chile on top 2-0.

Up next the men have a five-day break following the default by Trinidad and Tobago, originally booked for Jul. 28. The women will play hosts Uruguay in the last game on Jul. 28 and the men will await their match up in the semifinals on Aug. 1.