Argentina defends women's Pan Am Junior title

Day 1 Report here
Day 2 Report here
Day 3 Report here
Day 4 Report here
Day 5 Report here
Day 6 Report here
Day 7 Report here
Day 8 Report here

5th Place Playoff
Mexico 0 defeated Uruguay 0 (3-1 after penalty strokes)

3rd Place Playoff
Chile 2 defeated Canada 1
Goals: Chile – Fernanda Caravajal 24m, Camila Infante 27m; Canada – Jessica Denys 40m

Final
Argentina 3 defeated USA 1
Goals: Argentina- Daniela Paola Maloberti 18m, Carla Rebecchi 37m, Rosario Luchetti 60m; USA – Lori Hilman 

Report by Sherlan Cabralis, PAHF Media Officer 

Argentina retained their title by defeating the USA 3-1 in final of the 5th Women’s Pan American Junior Championship in Puerto Rico. Quick passes and well-time runs off the ball gave Argentina a well deserved penalty corner which was superbly executed by Daniela Paola Maloberti to give them a 1-0 lead in the first half.

USA turned up the tempo in the second half, but it was Argentina's Carla Rebechhi who capitalised on a one-on-one situation to increase the scoreline 2-0 in the 37th minute. Argentina put the game out of reach of USA when Rosario Luchetti converted a penalty corner in the 60th minute to gain a 3-0 lead.

USA reaped benefits for their hard work with a consolation goal from Lori Hillman off a penalty corner with four minutes to go.

In the previous match, Chile took the bronze medal with a 2-1 win against Canada. Chile controlled the first half and were rewarded with two field goals by Fernanda Caravajal and Camila Infante in the 24th and 27th minutes respectively.

In the second half, Canada played a more purposeful game and capitalised on a penalty corner, which was well-executed by their set piece specialist and captain Jessica Denys to bring the score to 2-1. Canada continued to play well, but Chile matched them every step of the way to seal the win. 

In the day's first match, Mexico captured fifth position by edging Uruguay 3-1 in the penalty stroke shoot out. After an evenly fought contest, which included regulation and extra time, both Mexico and Uruguay were unable to score. Beatriz Guzman, Michel Navarro and Guadalupe Martinez scored for Mexico who ended the match with one stroke to spare.

USA defender Rachel Dawson was named Player of the Tournament while Jesus Castillo from Mexico was named the Most Valuable Goalkeeper. Chile's Carolina Garcia finished with 11 goals and the title of Top Goal Scorer. 

Final Standings
1. Argentina
2. USA
3. Chile
4. Canada
5. Mexico
6. Uruguay
7. Barbados
8. Jamaica
9. Trinidad & Tobago
10. Bermuda
11. Puerto Rico
12. Dominican Republic 

Argentina, USA, Chile and Canada qualify for the 2005 Junior World Cup to be held in Santiago (Chile) in September this year.