Canadians improve in loss to Argentina
February 3, 2010
By Sheena Scott
The heavy rain fall throughout the day didn’t seem to slow the ball down much for the Argentines who came out hard from the starting whistle. Amanda Stone (BC) was called on very early to make some difficult saves. The first corner and goal of the game was awarded to Argentina in the 8th minute of play where a direct shot was blasted past the Canadian corner unit into the far corner. With the Canadian backfield under tremendous pressure, a fast free play action resulted in a great reverse stick shot and secured the second goal for Argentina.
Canada was now down by two goals and in the 30th minute had an opportunity to get on the scoreboard. A fast free hit from Abigail Raye (BC) to high striker, Robyn Pendleton (BC), resulted in the Argentine goalie making a fantastic save.
Only one minute into the second half and Argentina was already faced with another opportunity to get on the board. A well executed low drag flick to the left corner put Argentina up 3-0. With numerous close opportunities for Argentina and some solid defensive work by the Canadians, the score was able to remain unchanged. In the 58th minute, the Canadians earned their first penalty corner of the match that was deflected wide.
Argentina earned another penalty corner in the 62nd minute but were unable to capitalize. The remaining five minutes of the game saw three penalty corners earned by Canada, with the final one happening in the 70th minute. Canada was able to capitalize after a miss-trapped stick stop that resulted in Diana Roemer (BC) dishing the ball to Stephanie Jameson (BC). Jameson delivered a hard hit across the circle that was loosely deflected up and just under the crossbar by Robyn Pendleton (BC). This would be Pendleton’s second goal of the South American tour and her international debut and helped get Canada on the board to concede 3-1 loss.
After her first ever face-up against Argentina’s Senior team, goal keeper Amanda Stone commented, " I was excited I got to play but my preparation was the same as any other game. I didn’t really feel under pressure. I just went out and played my game."
Head coach, Louis Mendonca said, "Argentina is a very good team and had the better of us in most departments but I am very happy with how we competed until the final whistle. It’s what this team needs to move forward."
The team will have a training day on Thursday and re-strategize to face Argentina for one last match on Friday (11am) before wrapping up their tour and heading back to Vancouver.
Starting Line-up:
Amanda Stone, Sam Smith, Abigail Raye, Stephanie Jameson, Diana Roemer, Tyla Flexman, Anna Kozniuk, Katie Baker, Robyn Pendleton, Stephanie Nesbitt, Thea Culley
Substitutions:
Katie Collison, Ali Lee, Kate Gillis, Michelle Weber, Krissy Wishart
Did not Play:
Azelia Liu
Game Summary:
8 min ARG PC – Direct shot GOAL (1-0)
16 min ARG FP – reverse stick shot GOAL (2-0)
25 min CAN FP – ball went wide of the net
30 min CAN FP – Abigail Raye to Robyn Pendleton, goalie made a great save
36 min ARG PC – drag flick low left GOAL (3-0)
58 min CAN PC – deflected for a long corner
62 min ARG PC – hit two posts and then final shot goes wide
66 min CAN PC – resulted in another PC
67 min CAN PC – saved by defender
70 min CAN PC – broken down corner Roemer to Jameson tipped up by Pendleton GOAL (3-1)
