Indiana University Athletics
Canada Wins Gold at Junior Pan American Championships
7/22/2016 3:41:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
The Canadian women earned gold after their second win against the United States
EDMONTON, Alta. – The Canadian Junior Women's National Team culminated an unbeaten run through the Junior Pan American Championships by winning the gold medal in the tournament's final game on Thursday at the Kinsmen Sport Centre. Canada took down the United States in a thrilling contest, 11-10.
Incoming Indiana freshman Joelle Nacouzi played a crucial role in Canada's campaign to the gold medal podium. The Montreal, Quebec native netted 10 goals in the tournament, which included two hat tricks and a team-leading four goals in Canada's win versus Trinidad and Tobago. In Thursday's gold medal game, Nacouzi contributed to the Canadian victory by winning the opening sprint in the first three quarters.
Canada won their game against the United States largely due to their excellent team play in the pool, and held off the Americans' comeback effort.
After opening the game with the first goal, Canada fell into a 2-1 deficit from a pair of unanswered goals by the United States. Canada tied the contest at 2-2 at the start of the second quarter and, after another U.S. goal, the Canadians responded with back-to-back scores for a 4-3 lead. From there until the end of the game, Canada never conceded the lead to the United States.
The Canadians looked like they would pull away in the third quarter. After the Americans knotted the scoring at 5-5, Canada opened the throttle with three consecutive goals for an 8-5 lead. The United States, eager to regain an advantage in the match, pulled within one goal at the end of the quarter.
The United States tied the game once again at 8-8 to open scoring in the final quarter. Canada, with the help of standout attacker Kyra Christmas, poured in another three goals for an 11-8 lead. The United States launched a rally in the closing minutes with two scores, cutting the deficit to one goal. With 30 seconds remaining, the United States mustered another power play opportunity, but the ensuing shot found the post.
Canada's gold medal finish is an improvement over the outing at the 2014 Junior Pan American Championships, where they earned a bronze medal finish. The final standings for the women's tournament are as follows:
1) Canada – Gold
2) United States – Silver
3) Brazil – Bronze
4) Argentina
5) Puerto Rico
6) Colombia
7) Trinidad and Tobago
Incoming Indiana freshman Joelle Nacouzi played a crucial role in Canada's campaign to the gold medal podium. The Montreal, Quebec native netted 10 goals in the tournament, which included two hat tricks and a team-leading four goals in Canada's win versus Trinidad and Tobago. In Thursday's gold medal game, Nacouzi contributed to the Canadian victory by winning the opening sprint in the first three quarters.
Canada won their game against the United States largely due to their excellent team play in the pool, and held off the Americans' comeback effort.
After opening the game with the first goal, Canada fell into a 2-1 deficit from a pair of unanswered goals by the United States. Canada tied the contest at 2-2 at the start of the second quarter and, after another U.S. goal, the Canadians responded with back-to-back scores for a 4-3 lead. From there until the end of the game, Canada never conceded the lead to the United States.
The Canadians looked like they would pull away in the third quarter. After the Americans knotted the scoring at 5-5, Canada opened the throttle with three consecutive goals for an 8-5 lead. The United States, eager to regain an advantage in the match, pulled within one goal at the end of the quarter.
The United States tied the game once again at 8-8 to open scoring in the final quarter. Canada, with the help of standout attacker Kyra Christmas, poured in another three goals for an 11-8 lead. The United States launched a rally in the closing minutes with two scores, cutting the deficit to one goal. With 30 seconds remaining, the United States mustered another power play opportunity, but the ensuing shot found the post.
Canada's gold medal finish is an improvement over the outing at the 2014 Junior Pan American Championships, where they earned a bronze medal finish. The final standings for the women's tournament are as follows:
1) Canada – Gold
2) United States – Silver
3) Brazil – Bronze
4) Argentina
5) Puerto Rico
6) Colombia
7) Trinidad and Tobago
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