Canada defeats Malaysia in penalty strokes

June 26, 2009

The Canadian women’s national field hockey team defeated Malaysia in penalty strokes (0-0: 4-3) Friday morning in a 5-8 classification match at the FIH Champions Challenge II in Kazan, Russia.

Stephanie Jameson (twice), Stephanie Nesbitt, and Diana Roemer all scored in the penalty strokes competition for Canada.

“We are a young team and we are on a steep learning curve," said Diana Roemer of Mill Bay, British Columbia.  "Today we did
not just show up to compete, we showed up to win."

The Canadian women started well in the first half earning two penalty
corners.  However despite strong execution they were unable to convert.

Canadian goaltender Azelia Liu was called upon to make two outstanding saves in the second half on two Malaysian penalty corner chances.

The game remained scoreless throughout regulation and overtime.

“Today we battled hard all game and we saw our young players step up
and establish themselves.  It was great to pull out a win and have a
chance to play for 5th place,” said Liu, a native of Scarborough, Ontario.  Liu made the final save of the
game on the final Malaysian shooter to seal the victory.

Canada will next face Belarus in the 5th-place classification match on Saturday.  Canada was upset by the Belarusians 3-1 last Sunday in the opening match of the tournament.

Starting Lineup

Azelia Liu

Stephanie Jameson

Abigail Raye

Diana Roemer

Anna Kozniuk

Tyla Flexman

Shannon Elmitt

Katie Rushton

Stephanie Nesbitt

Jessalyn Walkey

Katie Baker

Jackie Trautmann

Did not Play

Paige Norris

Amanda Stone

Photo: PAHF / Alex Masters