The final of the women's Junior Pan Am Championships, held in Tacarigua, Trinidad and Tobago had a familiar ring to it as old rivals USA and Argentina battled it out for the top spot.
As on every occasion except 2008, it was the south American side that emerged with the gold medal after a 6-0 win left the USA out of ideas. The result means that Argentina finished the tournament conceding no goals and scoring a remarkable 63 goals in six matches. It is also the seventh time Argentina has won the title.
The bronze medal went to the up and coming Chile side, who defeated their higher ranked opponents Canada 3-0. There was small consolation for Canada as their ‘keeper, Lauren Logush won Goalkeeper of the Tournament. The Player of the Tournament and Top Goalscorer accolade was won by Argentinian sensation Maria Granatto.
The result means that Argentina and USA both qualify for the women's Hockey Junior World Cup, which will be held in Santiago, Chile from 23 November - 4 December this year. Chile will also be competing as they are the host nation.
In the final, USA were under pressure from the first whistle. Argentina pushed hard and were rewarded in the ninth minute when Lucia Sanguinetti pounced on a loose ball to slam it home.
Despite the constant stream of pressure, the scores remained at just 1-0 until half time, but then a brilliant 10 minute passage of play by Las Leoncitas saw the lead quickly extended as first Eugenia Trinchinetti scored, then a penalty corner from Milagros Fernandez-Ladra put the game effectively beyond the USA. Three further games came from Agostina Alonso, Ladra and Julieta Jankunas.
The bronze medal match saw an upset in the rankings as Chile beat Canada by a comprehensive 3-0 margin. The damage was all done in the first half.
Sofia Machado Paonessa opened the Chile account and her field goal was followed five minutes later by a classy goal from Kim Jacob. Just three minutes after that, and with the Canadian team in disarray, Paula Valdivia Drayer also got on the score-sheet with a well taken goal.
In the other matches, Uruguay beat the host nation Trinidad and Tobago by a 9-1 margin. Sol Amadeo was the hero for Uruguay as she put four goals away in her team’s rout.
The 7/8th places were decided on shoot-out after Mexico and Barbados played out a 1-1 draw. Mexico had experienced a shoot-out in the previous round, when they lost to Uruguay, so were able to use that experience to full advantage as they held their nerve to beat Barbados 4-3.
For more information about this event, visit the Pan American Hockey Federation website by clicking here.
To see all the results from the competition, click here.
