Day 4 summary from the UANA World Championships Qualification Tournament

In the first game of the semi-final round, Canada was able to overcome a slow start and beat an up and coming Venezuela team by the score of 22-7. Venezuela came out playing very aggressively in both ends and Canada looked too confident. Canada’s goals were scored mainly on the perimeter while Venezuela looked to pound the ball inside. The quarter ended with a slight lead for Canada 3-2. The second quarter was all Canada from the onset. Two goals from the post, three goals from the perimeter and one goal in extra man situation was all Canada needed to open up the game. Venezuela could only score one goal in this quarter, falling behind at halftime 9-3.

Third quarter was more of the same for Canada, Two quick goals from the post and one from the perimeter in the first 1:30 of the quarter increased the lead to 9 goals. The host team kept scoring at will, while Venezuela wasn’t able to put the ball in the cage. At the end of the third quarter the score was 16-4. Canada kept their momentum in the fourth quarter, scoring at will against an undersized Venezuela team. Krystina Alogbo (#2) and Joelle Bekhazi (#7) were the top scorers for Canada with 5 goals. Alexandra Carangelo (#2)was Venezuela’s top scorer with3 goals.

With the win, Canada advances to the gold medal game and qualifies for the World Championship Games in Barcelona, Spain. Venezuela will play in the bronze medal game against the loser of Brazil-Argentina.

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The second game of the afternoon had two South American counterparts, Argentina and Brazil, do battle for the final spot at the finals and for World Games. Argentina  scored the first goal of the game, but Brazil countered with two of their own to finish ahead in the first quarter 2-1. In the second quarter,  Brazil started using their post to generate offense. They scored one from the post, one on extra man and one penalty to take a 5-2 lead with 5:00 minutes left in the quarter. Brazil’s drop back defense was tough on Argentina, which couldn’t generate any consistent attack. The first half ended with Brazil on top 8-3.

The third quarter was characterized by counter attacks, missed opportunities and turnovers for both teams. Argentina just couldn’t score, and when they had a chance they would turn the ball over. Brazil’s game play wasn’t pretty, but it was good enough to increase their lead 11-3. The fourth quarter saw Brazil keeping their defensive pressure and their constant attack to keep Argentina in check. Brazil was able to score in most of their extra man opportunities, while Argentina couldn’t do so. Marina Zablith (# 3) and Izabella Chiappini (#11) led Brazil in scoring with  3 goals. Argentina was led by Cora Masip (# 3) with 2 goals.

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In a rematch of yesterday’s game, Canada played with a lot of tenacity against a very determined Brazilian team. Canada scored on their first extra man situation, and that was the only goal that was scored for the quarter. Brazil missed on two extra man situations while Canada missed on two extra man and two counter attack opportunities. The second quarter was dominated by Brazil’s goalkeeper, who kept stopping shot after shot. Brazil tied the game on an extra man situation, but Canada came up with their own extra man goal scored by Justin Boyd, his second goal of the game.

The third quarter was hotly contested on both ends of the pool. Both teams played hard man to man defense and concentrated their offense from the post play. Both teams had their chance from extra man but couldn’t score. Brazil was able to take the lead, but Canada came right back and scored with less than a second left to tie the game at 4. The last quarter was an all-out battle between both teams.  Both teams were able to capitalize on the extra man situation. Canada had the chance to win the game with less than 30 seconds left but wasn’t able to put the ball in the cage. Once again, the Brazilian goalkeeper kept Canada from scoring time and time again. The game went into overtime tied at 6. In the first overtime, Canada was able to get the ball in the post and was rewarded with a penalty, which was scored by Justin Boyd (#5), who led all scorers with 4 goals.

With the win, Canada qualifies for the World Championship Games I Barcelona, Spain, and earns the right to play for the gold medal against the winner of USA-Argentina.  Brazil will play for the bronze medal game.

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In what turned out to be a very methodical, but hard fought game, United States continued their improving play by defeating Argentina 15-8. From the onset, USA started playing very strong defense, which has characterized their style of play since the second game of the tournament. Argentina was ready to do battle against USA and was in the game in the first quarter. The second quarter was more slow paced for Argentina but for the USA was totally opposite. They came out stronger in offense, been able to score at will. The half ended with USA in command 7-4

In the second half, USA came out strong in offense, pounding the ball to the post and getting either direct goals, extra man situations or penalty goals. They also started to work hard in the perimeter, getting good shots which the Argentinian goalkeeper wasn’t able to handle. The third quarter was a very decisive one, with USA increasing their lead to 13-6. The fourth quarter had both teams going into their holeman looking for ejections, penalties or quick goals. Both teams were up to the task defensively. USA was more aggressive from the perimeter, but the goalkeeper from Argentina kept them from scoring. USA’s tenacious defense didn’t let Argentina even take a shot for the first 6 minutes of this quarter. Scott Davidson(#8 ) led the USA in scoring with goals. Argentina was led by Gonzalo Echenique (#8) with 3 goals

With the win, United States qualifies for the World Championship Games in Barcelona, Spain, and earns the right to play for the gold medal against Canada. Argentina will play in the bronze medal game against Brazil.

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