January 29, 2010
Canada (2) – Chile (1)
Coming out with the mentality of "playing to win", the Canadians were able to tie up the Chile series of four games with a 2-1 victory. Only two minutes into the game and the Canadians were able to work their way into the Chilean circle with a close opportunity. Following the quick break, the Canadians sat back a little bit allowing the Chileans to earn and capitalize on a penalty corner in the 15th minute. The ball was sent in with a low sweep that was deflected in at the far post. Regrouping, the Canadians were able to pounce on a scramble on the left side of the field with a nice passing play between Tyla Flexman (BC), Robyn Pendleton (BC) and Kate Gillis (ON), who released a final pass from the right side of the circle. Thea Culley (BC) was able to one time the ball past the Chilean goalkeeper, earning her second goal of the series in back to back games.
Entering the second half having come back from being down a goal, the Canadians were pumped up to come out fighting. The team was able to generate some good right side attack throughout the second half but a 15 minute window of pressure from the Chileans saw the Canadians defending three penalty corners. In the 64th minute, the Canadians earned there chance for a go ahead goal on a penalty corner and made no mistakes. The ball was laid off square to Diana Roemer (BC) who sent a low drag towards net that was deflected up by Robyn Pendleton (BC) and put in the back of the net with some great individual effort by Anna Kozniuk (BC). With the 2-1 score on the line, the Canadians did well to hold their composure, retain possession and ultimately come back from being down in the series with back to back wins.
Head coach Louis Mendonca was pleased to comment after the game stating, "back to back games are always tough both mentally and physically but tonight the team fought through it and came out with the result. This is very important for the team’s development if we are to be consistent at this level." The team will take the day off tomorrow to rest and recover before flying out on Sunday to Buenos Aires, Argentina where they will be looking to improve on what they have accomplished in Santiago.
Starting Line-up:
Azelia Liu, Abigal Raye, Sam Smith, Stephanie Jameson, Ali Lee, Anna Kozniuk, Tyla Flexman, Katie Baker, Kate Gillis, Stephanie Nesbitt, Robyn Pendleton
Substitutions:
Katie Collison, Diana Roemer, Michelle Weber, Krissy Wishart, Thea Culley
Did not play:
Amanda Stone
Game Summary:
2 min CAN FP – shot wide
15 min CHILE PC – low sweep, deflection far post GOAL (1-0)
25 min CHILE PC – no shot
31 min CAN FP – self start Tyla to Robyn to Gillis to Thea GOAL (1-1)
34 min CHILE FP – shot and saved by Azelia Liu
50 min CHILE FP – saved by Azelia Liu
55 min – CHILE PC – Canadian foul
56 min – CHILE PC – Saved by Azelia Liu
64 min – CAN PC – Lay of left, low drag, deflected by Pendleton, GOAL by Kozniuk (2-1)