Guyana goes down to USA 20-2, Argentina 14-0

Pan Am Hockey Cup

The Guyana women’s hockey team suffered horrendous losses in their opening games in the Pan Am Hockey Cup, first against the USA and then against Argentina. The Guyana women’s side were easily overcome by hosts USA 20-2, and then by Argentina 14-0.

Women Indoor Pan American Cup, Guyana vs. USA at The Training Center in Spring City, PA on Friday, June 25, 2021. Mark Palczewski/PAHF Photo

Guyana has suffered two significant setbacks with the late ankle injury of prolific striker Sonia Jardine and the contraction of COVID-19 by Captain Gabriella Xavier. The loss of two of the team’s top players definitely showed, but to make matters worse, goalkeeper Alysa Xavier has tested positive for COVID-19, hence the team was short on resources and did not stand a fighting chance when heading out on the field for either game.

Argentina were an unstoppable force

In game one, USA ensured they flexed their muscles to overwhelm the local side, as within the first 27 minutes of the game, the score read 14-0. Guyana managed some face-saving when they scored two back-to-back goals in the 28th and 29th minutes respectively. But from there on, USA locked in and ensured their attack and defense were on the same level, scoring the other six goals and clipping Guyana’s wings.

Part of the action between Guyana (black) and USA (red)

Abosaide Cadogan scored Guyana’s two goals, while Hope Rose and Ashley Sessa were the main goal scorers for the USA, with 7 and 5 goals respectively.
In the game against the Argentinians, the Guyana women repeated their horrid display and were again outplayed. Carina Guzman and Romina Zanni each scored twice for Argentina, while their team mate Julia Gomes scored a quartet of goals as they made a difference in a must win game for Guyana.