The Canadian women’s indoor national team has secured its spot in the final of the 2014 Indoor Pan American Cup with a 5-0 semifinal win over the United States Thursday in Montevideo, Uruguay.
For the second time this week Canada battled the U.S., but unlike Tuesday’s 0-0 draw, Canada was able to crack through the American defense en route to victory.
Canada will play in Saturday’s final, with the winner earning a spot in the 2015 Indoor World Cup to be held in Germany next February.
Both teams started the game with chances early but Canada carried the play as the half progressed. Amanda Woodcroft (Waterloo, Ont.) was given a lane to walk in and fired a shot that missed only by inches.
Moments later Jocelyn Mitchell (Ottawa, Ont.) demonstrated great patience to get around American keeper Maria Keesling. Her shot was illegally blocked by an American defender, which resulted in a penalty shot for Canada.
Alison Lee (Mississauga, Ont.) took the shot, but Keeling made a glove save to keep the game at 0-0.
Lee was given another chance to score in the fifth minute as she picked up a loose ball from the U.S. nine-meter, and with only one defender to beat, put the ball in the net to make it 1-0 Canada.
Canadian goalkeeper Kathryn Williams shone in the first half, making a number of crucial saves. The U.S. turned up the pressure after going down, but could not score on four straight penalty corner opportunities.
Then late in the half, Kyesia O’Neale (Mississauga, Ont.) made a great move to fend off two American players, turning, splitting the defense and sliding a smooth ball underneath Keesling. That gave Canada a 2-0 lead heading into the half.
The second half began in a very controlled manner for Canada, as they kept possession and took few risks, eating time off the clock. Canadian keeper Kathryn Williams made a big kick save off Kimberly Tunnel before Madison Thompson (Waterloo, Ont.) sent in a bullet off a penalty stroke, notching her third goal of the tournament to make it 3-0.
The U.S. pulled their goalie late but couldn’t mount a comeback, instead Lee scored again to make it 4-0. And then, in the last minute of play, Canada had a final counter attacking opportunity and a retreating Kaelan Watson (Richmond, B.C.), received the ball in the right hand corner, took on the last defender before sealing Canada’s road to the big show by sending one into the back of the net.
“It was really a team win today as everyone came to play,” says Watson. “We stuck to our game plan and stayed I the process for the full 40 minutes. Tomorrow we get a day off and can prepare for Saturday’s game. Our goal was to play in the final and we are excited for that opportunity.”
The final score was 5-0. Williams remained solid between the posts throughout the game earning her third shutout of the tournament.
To view the full match sheet, click here.
Canada will now face Argentina, who beat host Uruguay 1-0 in a shootout, in Saturday’s final at 11:30am PST/2:30pm EST. Watch the live stream here.
To support the Women’s National Indoor Team with a tax-receipted donation, click here.
Written with files from Carla Johl.
Photos by Blair Shier.
