The Canadian Women’s Field Hockey Team finished the World League Semifinal with a strong with a 2-0 win over Uruguay Friday in Valencia, Spain.
A strong performance from goalkeeper Kaitlyn Williams who was awarded the win and shutout, along with first half goals from Kaelan Watson and Danielle Hennig led Canada to the win and the ninth place finish.
Despite finishing the tournament with a record of one win and four losses, the victory means Canada finishes the tournament in the exact spot they entered: ninth.
The game began scoreless through the first twenty-three minutes, with Canada doing what they had done all tournament, playing strong defensively and trying to press offensively.
Williams was asked to make some strong saves early to keep the game tied and it paid off near the end of the first half when two quick goals gave Canada the lead.
In the twenty-fourth minute Kaelan Watson was able to put Canada ahead for the first time in the the tournament. The Canadians were spakred as they added another in the twenty-ninth minute on a drag-flick from Danielle Hennig.
There were no goals in the third quarter but Uruguay began to press.
In the fourth quarter, Williams was again required to play extremely well and make some dramatic saves. Her solid goaltending kept Canada in front and the Canadian were able to see out their first victory of the tournament.
Canada will now focus on prepration for the 2015 Pan American Games, which take place in Toronto, Ontario from July 10th-26th. It is Canada’s final chance to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The winner of the Pan Am Games earns a spot in Rio.
Canada’s first game in Toronto is July 13th at 7pm against the Dominican Republic.
