Day 5 summary from the XIth U.A.N.A. Pan American Junior Women's Championships

Game #29 PUR 6 USA 21

Puerto Rico was no match for the stronger and quicker USA team. USA scored 4 goals, most of them from outside shots and counter attacks to open the lead. In the second quarter, Puerto Rico played a strong game from the two meter centre post and worked hard on defense to keep the score 4-2 for the quarter and 8-3 at halftime. In the third quarter USA scored five goals in a four minute span and seven for the quarter. Puerto Rico countered with three goals in the last two minutes of the quarter, the last goals they scored for the rest of the game.

Francisraquel del Valle was top scorer for Puerto Rico with two goals. Rachel Fattal was pure venom from the outside, scoring six goals for the USA team. Both teams have a rest day tomorrow. Puerto Rico will play Venezuela for 5-6 positions and USA will play Brazil in semi-finals.

Referees:  Hugo PARADES (VEN) and Charissa HACKSHAW (TRI)
UANA Delegate:  Neil MUIR

Game #30 MEX 9 BRA 19

Brazil played a very conservative game in the first half, but increased their game intensity in the second half to break a close game open and win with ease. The Mexicans played inspired water pol in the first half, trailing by the score of 5-8. Rocio Rivera (#5) from Mexico scored three of the five goals Mexico had in that first half.

For the second half, Brazil scored six goals, with Diana Abila and Mirelis Coutinho scoring 2 goals apiece. This third quarter ended 6-1 in Brazil’s favor, opening a seven goal lead that they never relinquished. Rivera from Mexico was Mexico’s best player with 4 goals. Izabella Chappinni and Luiza Morais had 5 goals each for Brazil. Both teams have a rest day tomorrow. Brazil will do battle with USA and Mexico will play Venezuela in semi-finals.

Referees:  Wilmer POZZO (PER) and Gene DEL VALLE (PUR)
UANA Delegate:  Takeshi INOUE

Game #31 VEN 3 CAN 25

Venezuela came out strong in the first quarter with Martinez scoring the first goal a lead that was never to happen the rest of the game. Canada countered with three goals of their own and seven goals on each of the next three quarter to beat Venezuela by a big margin.

Canada used their strong bench and constant counter attacks to beat up a smaller Venezuelan team. Rae Lekness was the top scorer for Canada with five goals. Soleilyn Martinez was the high scorer for Venezuela with two goals. Both teams have a rest day tomorrow. Canada will play Mexico in semi-finals, while Venezuela will play Puerto Rico for 5-6 positions.

Referees:  Gustavo SERRANO (MEX) and Jose WERNER (BRA)
UANA Delegate:  Jim CULLINGHAM