Junior USWNT Claims JPAG Silver
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ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – Despite their best defensive efforts, the No. 6 Junior U.S. Women’s National Team fell 3-0 to higher-ranked No. 2 Argentina in the 2025 Junior Pan American Games (JPAG) final and are heading home with a silver finish.
The opening frame was all Argentina where they gathered a dozen circle entries, a handful of shots and four penalty corners. It looked like Las Leonas tallied on the second set piece, but fortunately goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko make the stop and planted it on an Argentina’s foot before it went in the goal. This didn’t stop Argentina from driving forward and midway through, they got on the board on a far post deflection from Lourdes Pisthon.
USA continued to put up a defensive effort, especially on penalty corners as Sofia Ferri recorded a defensive save on the fourth chance. Alyssa Klebasko came up clutch with a jumping stick save to put the ball over the crossbar.
Argentina remained on the front foot for most of the second quarter until 5 minutes left before the break where USA won a penalty corner. On that chance, the miss trap at the top was recovered and shot in by Talia Schenck and off the post Maci Bradford just missed the connection.
Las Leonas doubled their lead 30 seconds into the third quarter to take the 2-0 advantage. The Junior Eagles continued to be put under pressure defensively, including more saves from goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko. USA did have a moment of control but struggled to generate any positive outcomes in their attacking circle.
Despite trailing and with limited offense, USA fought hard in the final frame. They cut down on Argentina’s attacking chances and allowed fewer entries, shots and penalty corners. Las Leonas notched one in the 56th minute to seal the 3-0 win.
Key Moments:
- 3’ Argentina earned back-to-back penalty corners and looked to have scored on the second attempt, but USA was correct in their video referral
- 8’ Argentina with a goal from Lourdes Pisthon on the back post (1-0)
- 9’ Alyssa Klebasko with a jumping stick save to put the ball over the crossbar
- 14’ Sofia Ferri recorded a defensive save
- 21’ USA earned their first circle entry
- 25’ USA penalty corner chance
- 31’ Argentina doubled their lead when Lourdes Pisthon tapped in off the post (2-0)
- 45’ Lauren Masters with great first running to deny an Argentina penalty corner
- 54’ Alyssa Klebasko came out of the goal to force an Argentina shot wide
- 56’ Lara Casa extended Argentina’s lead on a diving effort (3-0)
Noteworthy:
- Alyssa Klebasko had 15 saves in the game
- USA’s Alaina McVeigh was the women’s JPAG goal leader with 11
- Argentina holds the all-time record against the USA, 9-1-0
Next Up: The Junior USWNT will return home and prepare for the 2025 FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup set for December 1 to 13 in Santiago, Chile.
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