Canada strikes first but can’t maintain the full 60-minutes
The pool positions were already decided before this match begun but there’s still lots to play for, for this young Canadian side that has been building and improving every match in this tournament. The 2026 World Cup dream may have evaporated but the goal of playing quality hockey and taking steps as a group remain as stout as ever.
The first quarter really showed what this young squad is all about. Taking on number 12 ranked Ireland, everyone knew this would be a tall order. Canada came out swinging. They earned a few penalty corners in the first 10 minutes and carried the pressure, possession and pace of the game.
Canada and Ireland play at the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in Chile. Photos/Yan Huckendubler.
Nora Goddard-Despot, Nicole Poulakis, Mikayla Stelling, Chloe Walton and Thora Rae drove into the Irish zone with pace and passing combinations that showed what Canada can really do when they are clicking. The opening goal was the culmination of the first quarter pressure as Anna Mollenhauer smashed a penalty corner one-timer into the bottom corner, giving Canada the 1-0 lead.
Unfortunately for Canada, that’s where the offense dried up. Ireland shored up their defensive effort, pressed high and started to turn the tide. The second quarter was the turning point in this game, as Ireland started to show why they are a bonafide top 12 team and the class of the pool. Two goals in five minutes to close out the first half put Canada on the back foot. Two more goals in the third quarter put the game out of reach.
Mollenhauer, Elise Wong and Katie Gibb were solid on the back end and Marcia LaPlante put up another sterling performance in net, but the steady Irish wave was too much in the second half. When the passes were clicking, the leads were well placed and the pace was Canada’s to dictate, they looked like a future team that could seriously do some damage on the world stage. With an average of 24 caps on this team, they are a little green at this juncture and Ireland made them pay in the second half.
There is LOTS to be excited about as the team moves forward in the qualifying event. They now move onto the fifth place bracket where they have two weekend morning matchups lined up to finish as strong as they can. Canada will take on the third finishing team in the other pool at 615am pacific time on Saturday morning. Tune in and follow all the action live on FIH Watch Hockey.
