Day 2 of the 2024 Junior Pan American Championships at Surrey, B.C., Canada saw another day of double Argentina victories, while the USA and Canadian women edged Chile and Mexico, respectively. On the men’s side, Canada and the USA ended in a scoreless draw, while Chile beat Mexico 5-1.
WOMEN: Argentina (3) – Uruguay (0)
The Argentina women had a much tighter affair compared to a day ago but were able to come out on top 3-0 over Uruguay. A scoreless opening quarter flattered Uruguay, who finally conceded just before half time. Catalina Stamati picked up a ball deflected into the circle after a long pass up the middle of the pitch. Stamati gained the space behind her and calmly slotted the ball past Uruguay keeper Miranda Martinez who was caught out of position. Less than one minute later Argentina gained the circle off the right baseline. A scramble of opportunities were blocked until a rebound fell for Stamati to flick a second goal in from close range to give Argentina a 2-0 lead at half time. Valentina Ferola added a third on the 52nd minute as she entered the circle with little space yet no pressure. Ferola kept on going until she flipped the ball past keeper Francisca Guani to seal Argentina at the top of the women’s pool.
WOMEN: USA (4) – Chile (2)
USA skipper Hope Rose put the Americans up 1-0 in the opening quarter deflecting in a penalty corner straight shot. Chile was quick to respond as Jacinda Solari’s penalty corner sweep drew the teams level. Neither team could draw blood in the second quarter but the Americans were able to add two more penalty corner goals, one each from Jans Croon and Daniela Mendez-Trendler. Ignacia Orellana added a consolation goal from Chile with some superb individual skills to lift over two American sticks and blast one past USA netminder Natalie McKenna.
WOMEN: Mexico (1) – Canada (2)
The Canadian WolfPups squeaked past Mexico with a 2-1 victory, their first win of the tournament. After 26 minutes of back and forth, the deadlock finally broke when Mexico tried to transfer the ball through their own circle. The ball fell perfectly for Canadian forward Stella Goddard-Despot who scrounged in front of Mexican keeper Mariel Pereida to poke the ball in for the game’s opening goal. Canada extended that lead on a penalty corner in the 49th minute when Kenzie Girgis’ sweep shot ricocheted off the backboard. Mexico responded, finishing on a penalty corner rebound in the 54th minute but despite pressing hard were unable to find an equalizer.
MEN: Mexico (1) – Chile (5)
It was the tale of two halves in the men’s match-up between Mexico and Chile that saw no goals in the opening two quarters and six goals in the last two quarters. Both teams had opportunities to get on the board, including multiple penalty corners, but stingy defence and some key saves made for an exciting finish with a Chilean goal frenzy. Sebastián Wolansky netted three penalty corner goals in three minutes to put Chile up 3-0 in the third quarter. Mexico tallied next on a penalty corner of their own, finished on a rebound by Rodrigo Silva. Tomas Hasson and Axel Stein added late in the fourth quarter to make it 5-1 for Chile to secure their second win.
MEN: Argentina (12) – Brazil (0)
Argentina went on a goal spree putting away 12 past Brazil to secure six points in the men’s pool play. Argentina wasted no time as penalty corner ace Nicolas Rodriguez scored his first of three goals in the second minute of play. Bruno Correa finished from close range less than one minute later to make it 2-0. The goals kept coming as Marco Aguirre Gomez Corta scored a hat trick to bring his tournament total to five, while Lorenzo Somaini added two and three others added singles. Brazil never stopped working and keepers Leonardo Santos and Fabio Ecleziano were called to action time and time again.
MEN: Canada (0) – USA (0)
It was a fast-paced and energetic match up between the North American rivals, USA and Canada, who drew 0-0 after 60 minutes. Both teams presented similar structures with strong distribution and movement in the backfield looking for gaps through their opponents’ disciplined forward press. The Americans looked to have the offensive jump on Canada but the home side defence did well to keep their keeper’s work to a minimum.
