Game 9: Alberta vs. Guyana 2-0 (1-0)
In a game where both teams were looking for their first win of the tournament, Alberta was able to capitalize on a goal per half to defeat Guyana 2-0. Alberta stacked the middle of the field with the expertise of Brittany Seidler and Marian Dickinson, while Burgundy Biletski continued her outstanding play in net.
Alberta earned their first goal on a penalty corner from Carolyn Lee. Guyana continued with several rushes on their own, breaking into the circle on play set up by captain Chantelle Fernandes and center midfielder and Mississauga native Leigh Sandison. In addition, Guyana’s keeper Alyssa Xavier made a difference in her first match of the tournament, as she flew in to Ontario only yesterday.
Only three minutes into the second half, Dickinson set up the speedy forward Amanda Kurianowicz for Alberta’s second and final goal of the game. Guyana was able to work some offensive prowess on a few Alberta turnovers but Biletski was solid in goal. Near the final minutes of the game, Guyana was awarded a stroke after a shot on net hit a defender’s body on a penalty corner. Biletski was more than up to the task, diving to her right to earn the shutout. Alberta finished the game with the 2-0 win and grabbed their first three points of the tournament.
Goal Scorers
ALB: Caroyln Lee (1), Amanda Kurianowicz (1)
Game 10: Canada U21 vs. British Columbia 2-1 (2-0)
The highly anticipated matchup between the Canadian Junior National side and the traditionally strong BC team was, as expected, a fast-paced and skilled game. Out of both rosters only three players are without international experience either at the senior or junior level, while 28 originally hail from BC.
Canada edged the BC side in possession for much of the first half despite either team really breaking into the circle. In the 16th minute, Canada’s overload on the right side worked to their advantage as BC was outnumbered on their left allowing for Rachel Donohue to shoot and pick up her rebound and find Caashia Karringten for the 1-0 lead. In the 30th minute Canada earned a short corner that took a deflection off a BC defender. The ball trickled in front of an open net where Jess Buttinger was waiting to finish and give Canada the 2-0 advance.
The second half saw a bit more push from the BC side, as Dani Hennig and Shanlee Johnston were evident defensive anchors, also distributing long balls through to the forward line. BC managed to restructure offensively and defensively and transition the ball to catch the Canadian side on their heels. Despite the efforts, several of their crosses went through the circle untouched.
Canada continued to push for another as defender Sara McManus was finding lanes through the field to send Stephanie Norlander and Holly Stewart streaking into the circle. The BC defence line remained strong and worked their way to the other end where they were able to cut the lead on a penalty corner in the 69th minute. Hennig’s low drag flick flew under the diving arm of Canada’s Bea Francisco to cut the lead to one but time was on Canada’s side and they finished with the 2-1 win.
Canada now takes the lead in the standings, undefeated with one tie, while BC will face the Ontario senior team tomorrow to try and secure a spot in the finals.
Goal Scorers
CAN: Caashia Karringten (1), Jess Buttinger (1)
BC: Dani Hennig (1)
Standings:
1. Canada U21
2. BC
3. Ontario
4. Alberta
5. Ontario U23
6. Guyana
Game 11: Alberta vs. Ontario U23 3-3 (1-0)
The Alberta and Ontario U23 match up was a close game, right until the final eight seconds. Alberta opened up with a goal from forward Amanda Kurianowicz in the 14th minute. That goal would stand for nearly 30 minutes of back and forth play which saw goalkeeper’s Burgundy Biletski, for Alberta, and Emily Corbett, for Ontario, stand strong between the pipes.
At the 45th minute mark, Ontario’s Tegan Stairs found the equalizer that gave Ontario some life. Captain Marian Dickinson stepped up strong to finish on a penalty corner in the 52nd minute to give Alberta some breathing room, while Andrea Lown added a third only two minutes later, also from a penalty corner.
The 3-1 advantage gave the Alberta side some comfort but the young Ontario squad did not back down. In the 64th minute, Stephanie Snyder made the game interesting and put Ontario on the board to cut Alberta’s lead to one, while Erin Houle was the magician that scored the game-tying goal with only eight seconds left on the clock. The final 3-3 score was the results of a back and forth game that saw excellent runs of attack and defensive plays.
Game 12: Ontario vs Guyana 2-0 (1-0)
The senior Ontario side struggled to put the ball past Guyana’s Alysa Xavier, who flew in late for the latter half of the tournament. Xavier was outstanding, challenging several balls along the base line and being very aggressive in the circle. Ontario did manage to notch a goal from forward Brienne Stairs, her first of two in the game.
Ontario held on to their one-goal lead for nearly 30 minutes as the Guyana midfield line did well to neutralize Ontario’s midfield of Kate Gillis and Krissy Wishart. Ontario was able to find a second goal in the 41st minute, also from Stairs, to seal the 2-0 win and the three points to tie for second place in the standings with one game left to go.
