Canada came at Chile very quickly in the opening half of Game 1 at the Prince of Wales Country Club in Santiago, Chile. Forward Kate Gillis put Canada on the board after picking up a loose rebound off one of Canada's first short corners. The ball was struck in by captain Katie Baker and Gillis picked up the ball and put it into the net with great composure.
Up 1-0, Canada looked to continue with its game plan but Chile earned a short corner and capitalized on it in the 23rd minute. A quick strike to the far post for a deflection by Camila Caram went straight into the mesh and had Chile caught up on the score board.
Canada maintained its composure and generated opportunities that they were unfortunate not to capitalize on and did so, playing short in the first half. Speculative green cards were awarded to Canadians Thea Culley (26th minute) and Kate Gillis (35th minute); however, the team did not show any signs of playing a man down.
The Canadians came out hard in the second half but the Chileans beat them to the first goal, capitalizing on a field goal after a long ball beat the Canadian midfield line down their right side in the 41st minute. A quick attack by Denise Infante had Canada scrambling to outlet the ball in the circle but Infante was successful at pushing the ball just past Canadian goal keeper, Azelia Liu. Canada, looking for the equalizer, succeeded in the 49th minute off another penalty corner.
A great set-play piece to far post runner, Jessalyn Walkey, saw the ball deflected effortlessly past the Chilean Goalkeeper. This was a special moment for Walkey as this was also her first game back from a year recovery for an ACL tear.
Chile took the lead again in the 55th minute, off a short corner. This time, Manuela Urroz was able to sweep hit right off the top of the circle straight into the back of the net. Up 3-2, Chile was able to hang on for the win throughout the final 15 minutes.
Several cards were awarded in the second half including a green card to Katie Baker, of Canada, and Fernanda Flores, of Chile at the 66th minute as well as a yellow card to Canadian Tyla Flexman in the 39th minute for a back tackle. Chilean, Maria Jose Fernandez, was also given a green card in the 60th, which was upgraded to a yellow in the 70th minute.
Game 2 on will be on Monday, April 4th.
Source: Field Hockey Canada Media Release
