U.S. Masters Teams Pick Up Three Wins on Final Day of Pool Play at WMH PACC

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – It was an outstanding day for the U.S. Masters Teams at Day 8 of the 2023 World Masters Hockey Pan American Continental Cup (PACC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Out of the four U.S. teams that competed, three notched a victory – including the O-35 Women and O-50 Women, who secured a place in the final.

The U.S. O-35 Men’s Masters Team will also compete in the final on Tuesday, December 14 at 12 p.m. ET against Argentina.

The U.S. O-35 Women’s Masters Team fiercely defeated host Argentina in their sixth game of pool play. After three quarters featuring an even battle of relentless back-and-forth attack paired with denying defense on both sides, USA was the first on the scoreboard. USA converted on a penalty corner at the end of the fourth quarter, the goal scored by Amy Krompinger (Newtown, Conn.) with just 4 minutes remaining. USA then held Argentina’s attack until the game ended to secure the 1-0 victory.

All-stars of the game were the two goalkeepers, Christina Walker (Moyock, N.C.) and Heather Long (Pottstown, Pa.), who blocked countess shots from both field play and penalty corners. The O-35 Women will rematch Argentina on Thursday December 14th at 2:30 p.m. ET in the championship game for a chance at PACC gold.

In a largely defensive battle, the U.S. O-40 Women’s Masters Team suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Uruguay in their final pool play match of the 2023 PACC. The USA defense staved off pressure from Uruguay, including seven penalty corners, for the nearly all of the first three quarters. It was in the final seconds of the third that Uruguay scored to take a 1-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter. It was then that Uruguay broke out, notching two more goals before USA was able to get on the board with a penalty stroke goal from Pattie Gillern (Medford, N.J.).

Now up 3-1, Uruguay drove home their victory with one final goal in the 67^th minute to take the 4-1 win. Despite the loss, USA is heading to the bronze medal match at 6:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, December 14 against Chile.

In their second match versus Canada in this tournament, the U.S. O-50 Women’s Masters Team came out strong with nice passing combinations to put Canada on their heels slightly. After getting in behind the Canada defense, Margaret Kelly (Madison, N.H.) was able to earn a penalty corner for USA. The corner unit executed an excellent slip left and Flor Manero (Key Biscayne, Fla.) scored USA's first goal of the game. Scored in the 22nd minute, USA now led 1-0.

USA wasted no time to extend their lead and scored another two minutes later off a goal from Sue Elliott (Fountainville, Pa.). The play started deep in USA’s defensive end with an outlet. The ball was worked up the left and sent to the far post, where Elliott made a great overlapping run to keep the ball in play and pushed it into the cage. USA had doubled their lead to 2-0.

The remainder of the game was fairly even, with a majority of play taking place in the midfield. Canada had a few set piece chances in the last 3 minutes of the game but all to no avail. The USA defensive unit stood strong and denied their chances. The match ended 2-0 in favor of USA, sending them to the final against Argentina at 12 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 14.

The U.S. O-55 Women’s Masters Team defeated Alliance for a second time in their final match of the 2023 PACC. The first quarter was heavy with goals, as USA got on the board first off a penalty corner goal in the 6^th minute. Alliance bounced right back just 5 minutes later, tallying a pair of goals to take the lead 2-1. USA was able to find the equalizer in the same frame, tying the match at 2-2 off another penalty corner goal finished by Loretta DiPietro (New Haven, Conn.).

It was a third successful set piece for USA in the second quarter, with Michelle Finegan (Doylestown, Pa.) scoring to put them in the lead, 3-2. Barb Doran (Old Saybrook, Conn.) scored what would be the game-winner in the third quarter, as Alliance converted a penalty corner just minutes later. Neither team scored in the final frame, giving USA a 4-3 victory.

Click here to view USA's schedule. Games held on the Blue field will be live streamed on Argentina Hockey Masters Association's YouTube.

To view the 2023 WMH PACC Event Page, click here.