Young goal-scorers shine on day one in Montevideo
Robin Thind and Nicole Poulakis both scored hat tricks in their senior international debuts as Canada goes on to kick off the Pan American Cup with a pair of wins.
Men’s National Team cruise to opening day win over Mexico
On a chilly, windy morning in Montevideo, Uruguay, Canada’s men’s national team opened their Pan American Cup campaign with a thorough 8–1 win over Mexico. After a scoreless opening quarter, Mexico struck first against the run of play, scoring a penalty corner goal in the 20th minute. Following that moment, it was all Canada for the duration of the match.
Captain Matt Sarmento sparked the momentum change with a backhand equalizer only three minutes after Mexico’s opening marker, setting the tone for the rest of the match. Rowan Childs and Jude Nicholson added first-half goals, giving Canada a 3–1 lead at the break.
The second half belonged to Robin Thind. Making his senior debut, the young attacker from Surrey, BC, netted a hat trick, showing off the same scoring touch that made him a standout at last year’s Junior Pan Ams at home in Surrey. It was Canada’s recent junior graduates that filled the net, as Nicholson and Thind combined for five of Canada’s eight goals.
Mexico pressed sporadically throughout the match, but Canada’s defense, anchored by keepers Ethan McTavish and Kiefer McNaughton, held firm. Trinidad and Tobago announced this week that their delegation had to pull out of the tournament. This means when Canada faces Chile on Saturday, it will be Canada’s last pool match and likely the group decider.
Wolf Pack surge to 7-0 win over Paraguay
Team Canada kicked off their 2025 Pan American Cup campaign in Montevideo, Uruguay with a dominant 6–0 victory over tournament newcomers Paraguay. Looking to improve on their 2022 bronze medal finish, the Canadians wasted no time asserting themselves as the stronger team in this morning’s contest.
Dani Husar opened the scoring early, followed by first-half goals from Chloe Walton and Mikayla Stelling to give Canada a 3–0 lead at the break. The second half spotlight belonged to debutant striker Nicole Poulakis of Ajax, Ontario. The University of New Hampshire standout, known for her scoring, netted a hat trick with goals in the 34th, 40th (penalty stroke), and 52nd minute.
Canada controlled every facet of the game from possession, penalty corners, and the scoreboard, delivering a complete performance. Up next: a crucial clash with perennial tournament favourite, Argentina on Saturday. Canada will look to carry their attacking momentum into Saturday’s tilt.
