News for 24 May 2015
All the news for Sunday 24 May 2015
Canadian women edge Ireland 2-1 in first of four games in Toronto
First quarter goals from Stairs and Johansen lead Canada to victory
Shaheed Devji
Photo: Yan Huckendubler
In its first game at the new Pan-Am Fields, site of the 2015 Pan American Games field hockey competition this July, the Canadian Women's National Field Hockey Team defeated Ireland 2-1 Sunday in Toronto.
It was the first match of a four-game test series between the two teams, which runs until May 27th. With support from the home crowd, the Canadians came out of the gate strong and were rewarded early.
Forward Brienne Stairs, a native of Kitchener, which is located 45 minutes west of Toronto, scored the game's first goal in the fifth minute. Stairs continues her scoring strength after a 2014 campaign which saw her land in the Top 10 female goal scorers worldwide.
Canada kept up the pressure through the first quarter and after Ireland was given a green card, defender Karli Johansen converted on a Canadian penalty corner with just over eight minutes to go to give the home team a 2-0 lead.
Ireland - which had beat Canada by one goal their last two meetings, the most recent coming in a shootout in the World League Round 2 finals - pushed back after going down by two. Their efforts resulted in Aine Connery scoring the visitors' first goal. Canada led 2-1 after the first quarter.
The team exchanged chances early in the second quarter, with Canada applying pressure early but not being able to convert. Again, Ireland pushed back with chances of their own but Canadian keeper Kaitlyn Williams came up with a big stop.
The offensive chances continued to be traded throughout the second half, with both goaltenders being forced to make saves to thwart any additional scoring.
Despite a late attack mounted by the Irish, Canada's defense - led by Williams who stood tall between the pipes in the final moments - was able to withstand Ireland's pressure and guide Canada to the 2-1 win.
The two teams will meet again in Game 2 of the series Sunday at 3pm/ET before a day off on Monday. The final two matches of the series will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday at 6pm/ET.
Complete scores and schedule for the series vs. Ireland can be found here.
Field Hockey Canada media release
Canada 2 vs 1 Ireland (Women)
This afternoon the Green Army faced Canada for the first time since the World League 2 final in Dublin, which saw Ireland reign victorious after a penalty shootout. Both squads qualified for WL3 from the aforementioned tournament and are in the midst of preparing for the final round of Olympic qualification, which begins on June 10th for the Irish in Valencia. The match also marked Lizzie Colvin’s 100th cap for Ireland. Lizzie earned her 1st cap in 2008 against France and was an integral part of the World League 2 squad that took 1st place in Dublin this March.
The Canadians got off to the ideal start and scored a goal at 10:40 in the 1st quarter which was quickly followed by a green card for Ireland. The Canadians used their number advantage to increase the pressure on the Irish defence and earned a penalty corner. Karly Johanson scored the well-worked corner and the Canadians took a 2-0 lead. As the game settled, the Green army found their rhythm and Aine Connery got Ireland on the board, 2-1. Ireland maintained their pressure and quickly earned 2 penalty corners that were defended well and brought the opening quarter to a close.
Ireland’s defence was tested early in the second quarter but held their shape, allowing a counter attack that drew a terrific save from Canadian keeper Williams. The two sides enjoyed equal possession for the remainder of the half with neither keeper being tested. 2-1
The third quarter took up where the second left off with both sides evenly matched and applying equal pressure on the oppositions defence. 2-1
Canada earned a penalty corner in the opening moments of the final quarter but failed to convert their chance. The green army quickly counter attacked on the break and came within inches of levelling the contest as the post saved Canada. Both sides continued to create chances and Ireland earned a penalty corner with 7 minutes left in the match, but the Canadian defence cleared the danger. Ireland increased the pressure for the remainder of the game, putting constant pressure on the Canadian defence, but couldn’t equalise and the tie finished 2-1 to Canada.
Final score Canada 2-1 Ireland.
The sides will play again tomorrow at 3pm local time in Toronto.
Megan Frazer (Captain)
Cliodhna Sargent
Emma Smyth
Nikki Evans
Katie Mullan
Naomi Carroll
Gillian Pinder
Aine Connery
Lizzie Colvin
Yvonne O’Byrne
Chloe Watkins
Ayeisha McFerran (GK)
Kate Dillon
Nicci Daly
Chloe Brown
Emma Gray (GK)
Alison Meeke
Shirley McCay
Irish Hockey Association media release
France 1-0 Ireland (Men)
The Green Machine played France in the first of 2 tests this weekend. The matches act as World League 3 preparation for Craig Fulton’s squad as the Antwerp-based June tournament approaches. Ireland last played France on home soil in February when the 2 teams shared the spoils in a 3 match series.
France came out of the blocks fast with an early chance and retained possession well in the opening minutes. Ireland responded with some strong passing of their own and earned the first penalty corner of the match at the 5 minute mark. A counter attack by the French side drew a terrific save and 2 penalty corners followed for the home side. 0-0
France again started the quarter strongly and scored the only goal of the match 3 minutes into the second quarter. The game continued at a fast pace with both sides having chances. Ireland increased the pressure with 3 minutes to half time and missed an opportunity before earning a penalty corner. The shot was saved by the French keeper and the sides went into half time at 1-0 to France.
The third quarter saw few chances for either team but France had strong possession throughout and the Irish defence duly dealt with any threats. 1-0
The final quarter saw a green card issued to both teams after some strong tackles. The Green Machine earned 2 penalty corners but couldn’t convert.
Final score France 1-0 Ireland.
The two sides will face off again tomorrow at 2:30pm local time in Lille.
Irish Hockey Association media release
Last minute goal by Pat Harris leads Bulldogs into Cal Cup Semifinal
By Jawwad Qamar 
Moorpark, CA: A penalty corner goal by Pat Harris against the Kings in the dying seconds of last Super Division match on Saturday saw the Bulldogs move into the Cal Cup semifinals. This was the second goal for Harris after Amrit Kullar gave the Kings a one goal advantage in the 3rd minute of the game.
Bulldogs will face San Jose Khalsa in the second semifinal on Sunday while JDH Montauk Sharks await the winner of Mexico and LA Tigers for the first semifinal. Khalsa earlier shut out University of British Colombia 3-0 to top pool A. Luke Doerner, the tournaments leading goal scorer with five goals, struck twice on penalty corners to lead the Sharks past the LA Tigers for a 3-2 victory and top finish in pool A with 6 points.
Ryan Sundeen of LA Tigers and Liam de Young of Montauk Sharks keeping an eye on the ball at Cal Cup 2015 - photo by Jag Reyatt
In the Women’s Super Division, Mexico is through to the finals as a result of a 2-0 win over Rush’d to top pool A with 9 points. Sunday’s encounter between Jolie Pitts and Caliwood will decide who finishes on top of pool B to qualify for the championship match on Monday. For time constraints, the tournament organizers decided to forgo crossover semifinal matches when scheduling the event even thou the ladies division has two pools of 4 teams. They instead have opted for the top finisher in each pool to play for the championship on Monday afternoon baffling many hockey lovers here.
Former Argentina international Claudia Ines Burkart on her way to scoring her tournament leading 4th goal against Rick’s Chicks at Cal Cup 2015 - photo by Jag Reyatt
For scores, schedules and directions to the venues, please visit www.calcup.com.
Fieldhockey.com Exclusive
Another victory for Dhyanchand Academy in VHA League
Suhas Nayse
NAGPUR: Continuing their superb form, Dhyanchand Academy carved out their second successive victory in the Baidyanath Senior Division Hockey League at the VHA ground on Saturday.
In their second outing in the three days, Dhyanchand Academy crushed Kamptee United 5-1 with a powerful performance.
Dhyanchand got off to a flying start as Shahbaz Pathan sounded the board in the very first minute. Ahfaz Pathan converted a penalty corner to make it 2-0 for last year's runners-up team.
Kamptee United opened their account late in the match in the 28th minute through Ravikant Supare. At the half-time, Dhyanchand Academy were leading by 2-1.
Even after resumption, Dhyanchand boys were ruthless and made several forays into the rival citadel. Thanks to their continuous attack, they earned another penalty corner which was superbly converted by Rahul Kalakoti (Sr) in the 36th minute.
Eight minutes later, Rahul Kalakoti (Jr) increased the margin for the Police Lines Takli outfit. Ahfaz Pathan completed his brace with a fine drive from top right of the circle.
On Sunday, Athletics Club will take on South East Central Railway at 5 pm at the VHA ground.
The Times of India