An Amazing Run

I wrote about the team on Wednesday regarding their run to the gold-medal final at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, and today was the big day for the Canadian women's field hockey team as the 18th-ranked team in the world met one of the powerhouses in third-ranked Argentina for not only the gold medal, but an automatic berth in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics next summer. After defeating the defending champions and 15th-ranked Americans two days earlier, Canada was facing the only team who beat them in the preliminaries and likely their toughest test in this tournament. Could they play David to the Argentinian's Goliath in this game on the final night at Villa Maria Del Triunfo Sports Center?

There's no hiding the fact that the Argentinian women are significantly skilled at their sport. It was evident in their time of possession on this game, it was clear with the number of chances and shots they had, and it would be evident once the final whistle went and the final score was noted. That's not to say that Canada didn't play well or hold their own - they did, and they had opportunities. The only problem was that they were few and far between thanks to how well the Argentina women play the game.

Las Leonas were structured throughout the game, and methodically worked the ball around the Canadian zone early on as they looked for weaknesses to exploit. Midfielder Natalie Sourisseau of Kelowna, BC had an opportunity to give Canada the lead minutes into the match, but her flick went wide. Back came the Argentinians and they would strike as Julieta Jankunas' flick eluded the Canadian defence and goaltender to find the back of the net inside the post to give Argentina the 1-0 lead in the ninth minute. Canada's first quarter would end with them down on the scoreboard, needing more opportunities, but stood only one goal from tying the game.

Argentina would continue their play in the second quarter, frustrating Canada at times as Canada couldn't get the ball to the net. In the 22nd minute, Argentina was awarded a penalty corner that they would convert when Silvina d'Elia found the back of the net past Kaitlyn Williams, and Argentina had themselves a 2-0 lead. At the halftime whistle, Canada needed a regroup after falling behind by a pair of goals by the Argentinians.

Whatever was said by head coach Giles Bonnet during the break seemed to rally the troops as Canada came out more aggressive to start the second half, earning a penalty corner just two minutes in. Off that penalty corner, captain Kate Wright of Kingston, Ontario would convert the opportunity, and Canada was down 2-1 with 28 minutes to play!

The only problem was that Las Leonas weren't interested in letting Canada back into the game. Five minutes after Canada scored, Argentina earned a penalty corner of their own as the 37th minute, and Carla Rebecchi would find the back of the net off the opportunity as Argentina went back up by a pair of goals at 3-1. And just before the quarter ended, Argentina earned another penalty corner, and they would make it a 4-1 game when Silvina d'Elia scored her second of the match! With just 15 minutes to play, the Canadians faced a huge task in trying to come back against a team who had surrendered just two goals - three with Wright's goal - all tournament long.

Two minutes into the final frame, Argentina all but sealed their victory when Julieta Jankunas found some space and fired a shot past Kaitlyn Williams to make it a 5-1 game. From there, Argentina simply denied opportunities and controlled the ball well when they moved into the Canadian half. At the final whistle, the 5-1 score stood as Argentina claimed the Pan Am Games gold medal while Canada was awarded the silver medal!

What might be more important isn't the result that sees Argentina automatically qualified for Tokyo 2020. Giles Bonnet found the silver lining almost immediately thanks to his team's effort as Argentinian coach Carlos Retegui asked Bonnet if Canada would be available to play against his squad in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics.

"That's what happens now," Bonnet told The Canadian Press. "Other top teams are interested in playing us. Before they wouldn't give you a phone call."

Bonnet also figured there would be a boost in the world rankings for Canada, possibly rising as high as #14 in the world. Just six months ago, Canada was ranked 21st-overall, so there has been major strides made in the last six months for the squad under Bonnet. And that leads to the next problem in that Bonnet's contract with the Canadian team ended at the conclusion of the Pan Am Games, but he has agreed to remain on with the team through to the next Olympic qualifier in two months' time.

Regardless of whether Canada qualifies for Tokyo or not, the growth of this program under Bonnet should make it a no-brainer for Field Hockey Canada to offer him a new deal that keeps him in place through the Olympic Games. This team has improved over the last year like no other has, and it should be imperative that Field Hockey Canada keeps Bonnet in the loop to continue that growth.

However, as it is stated in the article, "[t]he loss of Own The Podium funding and Field Hockey Canada's financial problems forced the team to turn to fundraising this season. A crowdfunding effort financed the team's trip to Valencia and a private donor helped pay for a training camp ahead of the tournament." As stated, the team has raised about $200,000 to continue playing through the rest of the year.

Maybe I'm reaching too far here, but I'd like to see the Canadian government invest in this squad, particularly if they qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, to see them reach heights that Canada has never seen. The athletic talent is clearly there as shown in their recent finishes in tournaments and teams who they've beaten along the way, so getting that financial boost would show not only a commitment to the team from the government, but a belief that this team is headed for bigger and better things.

Regarding the outcome of this game tonight, these women deserve your support because they represented the country well in Lima. They stared down some good teams, played some exceptional hockey, and brought home silver medals after falling to one of the top-three countries in the world in field hockey. That alone should fill you with pride as you read this, but the image below of these smiling women with their silver medals might be the impetus for that Canadian pride that you need!

Well done, ladies! HBIC salutes you on your amazing tournament!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!