Source: www.guardian.co.tt
By: Nigel Simon
This country’s senior women’s team suffered its worst loss in over a year,after it went under to Chile 11-0 in the second match at the Four-Nation Classic hosted by Field Hockey Canada. The series is being held to celebrate the 20th year anniversary at Wright Field, University of British Columba,Vancouver on Saturday. Christine Fingerhuth led the onslaught for the South Americans with a hat-trick, in the
fourth, 41st and 46th minutes while Manuela Urroz (14th, 56th),Denise Infante (20th,22nd) and Daniela Caram (37th, 70th) added two goals each against T&T goalkeeper Petal Derry.
Camila Caram (49th) and Paula Infante (53rd) added the other for the Chileans who led 4-0 at the interval, against a T&T squad minus Blair Wynne, Michelle Leotaud and Kelli O’Brien,who were all rested. Also on Saturday, Thea Culley netted twice as Canada edged Canada A 3-2. Jesslyn Walkey added the other for Canada while Kim Scraper and Michelle Weber were the players on target for the women’s developmental team.
Today, both teams will face off again at 5pm and T&T coach, Anthony Marcano will be hoping for an
improved performance from his players. On Friday, in its opener, the T&T women were hammered 6-0 by hosts Canada, a team it will face in pool play at the upcoming Pan American Games in Guadalajara.
Kate Gillis scored two for Canada while Nathalie Sourisseau, Culley, Jesslyn Walkey and Kristine
Wishart added the others.
In another match on Friday, Chile defeated Canada women’s Development team 4-2. Canada blanks T&T men 2-0. The local men’s hockey squad also flicked off its campaign on a losing note, going under to hosts Canada 2-0 on Friday with Iain Smythe (29th) and Mark Pearson (50th), the scorers. The match was played at an unrelenting pace from the start, with action flowing back and forth and opportunities at both ends. Canada enjoyed more ball possession but T&T under the supervision of newly appointed coach, Holland’s Bas Bruin held strong in defense and played on the counter-attack that sometimes put
the Canadian defenders in hot waters.
Canada was finally rewarded for their domination in the 29th minute, when Smythe was well positioned
to slot the ball past goalkeeper Karlos Stephen after a penalty corner. T&T started the second period at full speed and pushed the Canadian defense on their heels, calling Canadian goalkeeper David Carter into action. However, the Calypso Stickmen had two narrow misses, and forced two successive penalty corners, but to no avail. Canada slowly regained control of play and created some impressive counter-attacks but could not get past T&T custodian Stephen.
Scott Tupper had a strong attempt on a penalty corner, which was also well saved by Stephen, who
was eventually beaten for a second time in the match when Pearson scored. With rain starting, the pace abated somewhat and the score did not evolve more, despite a late series of penalty corners where Canada tried various options. Canada made it two wins from as many matches when it won by a similar 2-0 margin over Chile on Saturday with goals from Dave Jameson in the 53rd minute and Gabber Singh, two minutes later. Last night Chile faced T&T with both teams looking for their first points while the local men meet Canada from 9.30 pm tonight.
TOURNAMENT FIXTURES
Today:
Canada A vs T&T (women) - 5 pm
Canada vs Chile (women) - 7 pm
Canada vs T&T (men) - 9.30 pm
Tomorrow
Canada vs Chile (men) - 9 pm
Wednesday
Chile vs T&T (women) - 5 pm
Canada vs Japan (women) - 7 pm
Chile vs T&T (men) - 9.30 pm
Thursday
Japan vs Chile (women) - 7 pm
Canada vs T&T (women) - 9 pm
Friday
Canada vs T&T (men) - 9 pm
Saturday
Japan vs T&T (women) - 2pm
Canada vs Chile (women) - 4 pm
Chile vs T&T (men) - 6.30 pm
Sunday
Third place playoff (women) - 2pm am
Canada vs Chile (men) 4.30 pm
Women’s Final - 7 pm