The 4 Nation Classic began yesterday as Canada’s development team, Canada A, played Chile at 2:00pm for the first match. Despite the gloomy forecasts, the rainy weather held off for what would be a perfect afternoon for field hockey. Thanks to numerous volunteers, Wright Field was dressed to impress and ready to host a world-class tournament. 

A young Canadian backfield was put under pressure early in the first half by Chile. After re-gaining their grounds, play resumed between the 25s. The nil score line was finally broke in the 17th minute when Chile’s Manuela URROZ capitalized after a defensive scramble that lead to a loose ball in the circle. Soon after, in the 23rd minute, Javiera VILLAGRA put Chile up 2-0 off a Chilean fast break that lead to a give and go free play situation. Canada’s development side did well to bounce back, earning their first corner in the 29th minute of the game. Delta’s Sara MCMANUS stepped up to smash the ball low and hard inside the far post.

With the score only 2-1 for Chile at the half, Canada was looking to re-gain structure in the midfield and catch up on the scoreboard. It was the experienced Chilean side, however, that took the scoreboard first with a penalty corner goal that came off a Christine FINGERHUTH’s drag flick into the mesh in the 53rd minute. Only one minute later, Canada responded with a pretty passing play down the right side initiated by Ontario’s Amanda WOODCROFT and finished on her back hand by Alberta’s Marian DICKINSON. Chile disputed the goal but umpires Catalina Montesino WENZEL (of Chile) and Amy HASSICK (of the USA) agreed to award the goal. The third goal in three minutes came off a Canada turn over in the backfield that led to a reverse stick cross through the circle that was tipped up by a Canadian defender and batted in to the mesh by Denise INFANTE. This left the score settled at 4-2 for Chile.

The Canada A side, now with first game jitters off their back, look to re-group and compete hard against their Canadian rivals on Saturday at 4pm at UBC, Wright Field.

Starting Line-up: K. WILLIAMS, K. COLLISON, A. LEE, M. SECCO, E. PLATERAS, R. DONOHOE, M. DICKINSON, K. THOMPSON, S. ELMITT, S. MCMANUS, A. MCCAWLEY

Subs: M. NIELSON, K. SCRAPER, M. WEBER, B. STAIRS, A. WOODCROFT, 

DNP: B. FRANCISCO