Day 2 Recap:
The Canadian men and women’s indoor national teams took on the USA, Sunday March 16th, in the final matches of the three game CAN AM series at the University of Toronto Athletic Center Sports Gym.
The women took to the court first in their series decider, each with a win under their belts. But it was the USA that came out on top defeating Canada 4-3 in a close encounter.
Erin Matson started the ball rolling for the US, scoring in the first minute of play. Captain Rachael Milne followed suit scoring two minutes later. Canada finally made their reply with a penalty corner goal from Kristen Shier. Alexa Hoover notched the Americans third goal before Jocelyn Mitchell gave Canada their second. The US lead 3-2 at the half.
The second half was tightly fought with neither team willing to give up the game. Hoover tallied her second goal of the game in the 47th minute. Canada then loaded on the pressure and Alison Lee netted one in the closing minutes. However it was not enough to surpass the US.
Matson was the series top goal scorer recording seven goals in three games.
In the men’s game, Canada closed out the series with their third win, defeating the US 4-1. Jeewanjoth Bath opened the scoring for Canada in the third minute of play. Michael Barminski of the US was quick to reply, netting a goal of his own two minutes later. The Canadian’s pushed on with Sean Barretto, Bath and Jonathan Roberts adding to the teams tally and Canada lead 4-1 at the half.
The teams battled closely in the second half but with neither team finding the net. The game remained at 4-1 till the final whistle.
Roberts was the men’s top goal scorer notching three goals over the weekend.
Both Canada and the USA will head to Uruguay in April to compete in the Pan Am Cup. The winner of the tournament will earn a berth into the World Cup.
Day 1 Recap:
The Canadian men and women’s indoor national teams took on the USA, Saturday March 15th, in the first of a three game international series at the University of Toronto Athletic Center Sports Gym.
The USA came away with the first win of the series defeating the Canadian women 5-1.
Susan Ciufo put the Americans on the board early scoring the first goal of the match in the 4th minute. However, it was thirteen-year old Erin Matson who dominated the US offense putting away their next four goals.
Chelcie Mendonca was Canada’s lone goal scorer, recording her first international goal and first international cap.
The tables were turned in the afternoon when the Canadian women secured a 4-3 win over the US in their second match up of the series. Alison Lee opened up the scoring two minutes into play while Kyesia O’Neale and captain Kristen Shier followed with two goals of their own to go into half time up 3-0.
Amanda Woodcroft started the second half with a goal at the 21st minute but the Americans came fighting back. Matson notched two more goals to bring her series total to six, while teammate Alexa Hoover netted her first goal of the series. The Canadians managed to protect their one goal lead and came away with the win.
In the men’s competition, the Canadian’s defeated the US 6-2 in their first game of the day. The Americans came out firing with Ajai Dhadwal netting one in the first minute of play. However it was then all Canada from there. Veteran Ken Pereira lead the Canadians tallying three goals. Sean Barretto, Jonathan Roberts and Scott Sandison netted a goal each for the Canadians while William Holt added one more for the US.
Canada continued to dominate when the two teams faced off again, Saturday afternoon, topping the US 6-1. Roberts and Pereira kickstarted the scoring both netting goals with in the first three minutes of play. Gaganpal Dhanju and teammate Devohn Teixeira brought the Canadian’s total to four heading into halftime.
The US were first off the mark in the second half when Jaja Kentwell got one past Canadian goal keeper Shankar Premakanthan. However, Micah Teixeira added one more goal to seal the win for Canada.
The Canadian and US women have secured a game each and will head into the final match, and decider, on Sunday, March 16. Game is set for 8.45 a.m. Canada’s men have a two game lead over the US heading into tomorrows final game. The men are set to start at 10:05 a.m.
