The Canadian women’s national field hockey team got off to a strong start at the 2009 Pan American Cup in Hamilton, Bermuda by defeating the host team 10-0 Saturday afternoon. It was their first match of the nine-day tournament to determine the continental qualifier for the 2010 World Cup.
Veteran Stephanie Nesbitt (Vancouver, BC) led her team with a three-goal performance. Katie Rushton (Victoria, BC), Diana Roemer (Mill Bay, BC), Cailie O’Hara (Oakville, ON), Jessalyn Walkey (Rockwood, ON), Stephanie Jameson (Vancouver, BC), Tiffany Michaluk (West Vancouver, BC), and Thea Culley (Rossland, BC) also scored for Canada. Goalkeeper Amanda Stone (Richmond, BC) recorded the shutout.
Canada came out strong earning four penalty corners in the first nine minutes of the game. Rushton opened the scoring in the 10th minute off a Bermudan foot deflection.
Canada will face a tougher test when they play Argentina on Sunday afternoon. The Canadian women are currently ranked 20th in the world by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
