USA Field Hockey News

USA Field Hockey U21 Women Shutout Canada, 1-0; Move Closer to Pan Am Junior Championship Semifinals

San Juan, Puerto Rico — Lauren Crandall (Doyelstown, Pa.) connected on a penalty stroke goal early in the second half and the USA defense held on for its third straight shutout as the USA Field Hockey Under-21 team defeated Canada, 1-0, at the  Pan American Junior Championships.

The win lifts the USA to 3-0 at the tournament and moves the team closer to a spot in the tournament semifinals. The tournament serves as a qualifying event for the Women's Junior World Cup scheduled for Sept. 14-25 in Santiago, Chile. The top three teams from the tournament, as well as Junior World Cup host Chile, will qualify for September's event.

With the loss, Canada falls to 2-1.

After a scoreless first half, Crandall finally put the USA on top when she netted a penalty stroke in the 39th minute. The goal was Crandall's fourth of the tournament.

Led  by goalkeeper Katherine Blair (Louisville, Ky.) the USA recorded its third straight shutout in shutting down a Canada team that had scored 23 goals in its first two tournament games.

The USA returns to action on Sunday and concludes pool play against host Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

USA 1, Canada 0
USA: Lauren Crandall (PS, 17:00)

USA Starters: Lori Hillman, Kathleen O'Donnell, Katie Grant, Mia Link, Katelyn Falgowski, Amy Stopford, Lauren Crandall, Rachel Dawson, Lauren Powley, Brooke Miller, Kathleen Blair (GK)
Subs: Heather Kendall, Cara Lynn Lopresti, Heather Schnepf, Laree Beans, Mary Fox
Coach: Tracey Fuchs