SURREY, BC, Canada – The No. 7 U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team and No. 2 Argentina rematched in the 2024 Junior Pan American Championships gold medal game. This time, it was Argentina who claimed the title with a 3-1 victory, and the Junior Eagles who went home with the silver.
“We are disappointed not to have come out top but winning silver is a great achievement and the athletes should hold their heads high,” said U-21 USWNT head coach Allan Law. “We are extremely proud of the character the team displayed throughout the game and as always, some valuable lessons to take away and we will continue to build the program. Thank you to our three senior players who age out, Lucy Adams, Jans Croon and Hope Rose who have been a huge part of the program for the last couple of years.”
USA had their first circle entry 4 minutes in but were unable to create any outcomes. A minute later, Argentina was in their attacking circle and created their own chance in the form of a penalty corner, which was blocked by the USA defense. Argentina was back with another set piece soon after, but Goalkeeper of the Tournament Alyssa Klebasko (Odenton, Md.) blocked the drag flick. Keeping the pressure up, Argentina took a 1-0 lead at minute 8. Less than a minute later, Argentina doubled their lead to 2-0 with a penalty corner goal.
With 3 minutes remaining, the USA offense started to make their way up into their attacking 25, but again without result. It was Argentina again with a set piece chance at the 13-minute mark, but the shoot was blocked by Klebasko. The quarter finished out with Argentina leading over USA, 2-0.
The Junior Eagles finally found some possession in the third quarter, using the chance to push up and create some attacking options. Lucy Adams (Andover, Mass.) showed some skill up the right, sending a through ball up. 4 minutes into the frame, USA earned their first penalty corner when Milaw Clause (Stroudsburg, Pa.) forced a foul. Despite the new set piece from USA, the Argentina defense were able to block the shot. A minute later, Clause earned another penalty corner, and this time USA found success. The initial shot from Jans Croon (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) was blocked, and Hope Rose (Dauphin, Pa.) put in the rebound. With the goal, USA became the first team to score a goal against Argentina at this tournament, as they trailed 2-1 at the half.
Argentina retained the advantage in possession in the third, and as the quarter continued, Argentina gradually increased this advantage, earning five penalty corner chances to USA’s zero. On Argentina’s first set piece of the frame, Abby Burnett (Zionsville, Pa.) made a save on the line for USA, and the shot was sent wide for the second. At the 37th minute, USA went down a player after Mia Schoenbeck (Langrange, Ky.) was shown a yellow card.
As Argentina continued to put the pressure on, the Junior Eagles were on their heels, trying to get the ball out of the circle, but were unable to connect on the way out. On yet another penalty corner opportunity for Argentina, Klebasko made another save, giving the USA defense a reprieve as the ball was cleared out and up.
Josie Hollamon (Delmar, Del.) intercepted a pass across the cage with 3 minutes left in the quarter, but USA conceded another penalty corner, which they escaped unscathed again. USA entered the final quarter down two players on cards and down one goal.
After not scoring since the first quarter, Argentina finally broke through with their third goal in the second minute of the final frame, taking a 3-1 lead. Breaks in structure became more frequent for the USA side, as the need to score heightened. A rare USA chance came when Schoenbeck earned a penalty corner for USA, but the shot by Croon went wide. USA had a few more chances as the quarter went on but were unable to capitalize on any of them. Time expired and Argentina finally had their revenge for last year, taking a 3-1 victory. USA finished the 2024 JPAC in second place and a spot secured in the 2025 Junior World Cup.
At the closing ceremonies, USA’s Alyssa Klebasko was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
For more information regarding the 2024 Junior Pan American Championships, visit the event page.
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