The final FIH Women’s World Cup Spain and Netherlands 2022 qualification place available from the Women’s Pan Am Cup 2022 was decided over a 60 minute period in which Canada and USA slogged away at each other, trying to break down each other’s well-organised and determined defences.
There was so much resting on this bronze medal match. Aside from bragging rights and a medal at this prestigious continental event, it was also the final chance for the teams to claim a qualification spot at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup, Spain and Netherlands 2022.
Both Canada and USA had been left feeling deflated after they had lost semi-finals to Argentina and Chile respectively. This was about which team could pick itself back up most effectively.
The pressure on the players showed as neither side seemed prepared to take many risks in the opening stages. The majority of the first quarter saw the teams testing each other and probing for gaps in the defence. Then, with just seconds left before the whistle, Amanda Woodcroft – who hadn’t featured in the semi-final – slotted home from a penalty corner to give Canada the lead.
In the second quarter, the USA showed their usual relentless work rate as they tried to get back on terms with Canada but Canada’s defence was solid and the USA had to beware counterattacks, as Canada continued to drive forwards at every opportunity. Brienne Stairs and Elise Wong were particularly active as they worked to get behind the USA defence.
With time counting down for USA, Erin Matson began to make her presence felt. Her dizzying skills won her team four consecutive penalty corners in the final minutes of the third quarter but a combination of ill-worked routines and the excellence of goalkeeper Rowan Harris saw the efforts come to nothing.
The final quarter continued in the same manner. Matson, Rose Hope and Ashley Sessa were showing their class as they skipped into the Canada circle but the Wolfpack was not going to relinquish a chance to go the World Cup easily. Led by captain Natalie Sourisseau, Canada dug deep, defending heroically and walked away from the pitch with a bronze medal and a ticket to the World cup for the first time since 1994.
Speaking after the match, a delighted Rowan Harris said: ’I am so just proud of this group. To pull this off. I am super excited. I think the way we pulled together as a team was really good and it is a quality that we will hold onto as we go forward. This is a really good feeling’
Captain Natalie Sourisseau was emotional as she paid tribute to her team ‘I have so many emotions. This team has been through so much. For example, they couldn’t train for five weeks before the tournament because of the weather. The team hasn’t qualified in 28 years and it feels pretty special to have done that. Our job was to concentrate on this tournament and the qualification. Now we will plan the next steps.’
Amanda Woodcroft, who scored the winning goal, said: ‘It [the goal] was a team effort and I just happened to be in the right place to put it in the net. Holey-Moley did we work hard today and I am so proud of everyone.’
Today’s result means Canada join Argentina and Chile in qualifying for the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup, Spain and Netherlands 2022.
Result: Bronze medal match:
USA 0-1 Canada. Canada qualify for FIH Hockey Women's World Cup, Spain and Netherlands
#PAC2022 #PanAmHockey
