Pan Am Games: Canada Sweeps Gold

The lack of drama on Day 1 of the Pan Am Games was more than made up for as Day 2 rolled out more than a few thrillers that entertained a very good sized crowd in Toronto. In the end, it was the home sides that took home Gold as the Canadian Women rolled over the USA to claim the first-ever Gold Medal in Women’s Rugby at the Pan Am Games. The Gold capped a dominating weekend for Canada. The Men’s team used a bit of fortune, grit, and a wave of momentum as they overcame deficits in all three of their matches on Day 2.

Here’s a look at all of the Day 2 matches at the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Women’s Division

Day 2 in the Women’s Division started with the conclusion of pool play followed by the medal round.

Canada 45 Argentina 0 – Canada started off on Day 2 right where they finished Day, by dominating another opponent. This time is was Argentina at the short end of the stick. Nadejda Popov scored three tries for the Maple Leafs.

Brazil 29 Colombia 0 – Easily the third best team in the Women’s division behind Canada and the USA, Brazil shutout South American champs Colombia. Beatriz Futuro Muhlbauer scored two tries to pace the Brazilian attack.

USA 71 Mexico 0 – It must have seemed like deja vu for Mexico as the USA put up unheard of numbers against Mexico for the second time in two months. Leyla Kelter led the way for the USA as she notched 26 points on two tries and eight conversions. Kate Zachary added three tries for the USA.

Argentina 5 Colombia 5 – In a rematch of the South American championship, the two sides played even for the entire match and ended in the only tie of the entire tournament. Colombia needed a win to get into the Bronze Medal match.

Brazil 57 Mexico 0 – The rough weekend for Mexico continued as this time it was Brazil laying on the points. Beatriz Futuro Muhlbauer continued to score in batches as she added three more tries for Brazil.

Canada 34 USA 12 – In a preview of the Gold Medal match, Canada stormed out to a 24-0 halftime lead and then cruised to victory. Nadejda Popov added two more tries while Sara Kaljuvee scored two more to lead the Maple Leafs. Both teams had secured their place in the Gold match prior to playing.

5-6th Place Match

Mexico 17 Colombia 17 – After a rough weekend, Mexico came away with a consolation of sorts as they tied the favorite Colombia.  A Georgina Zenteno try for Mexico with no time left on the clock secured the tie.

Bronze Medal Match

Brazil 29 Argentina 0 – Brazil capped a solid weekend by claiming the Bronze with a shutout of Argentina. Brazil got tries from five different players and nine points from Raquel Cristina Kochhann (try, 2 conversions). Brazil finished the Games with a 4-2 record with their only losses coming to Canada and the USA.

Gold/Silver Match

Canada 55 USA 7 – USA got on the board to start the match, but that was all they would get as Canada pounded their way to the Gold. Karen Paquin scored three tries while Ashley Steacy added 16 points on two tries and three conversions for Canada. The Maple Leafs finished off a dominant weekend where they only allowed 19 points in six games.

Men’s Division

Unlike the Women, the Men’s division finished up pool play on Day 1 and jumped right into the knockout rounds to start Day 2.

Men’s Quarterfinals

USA 31 Guyana 0 – The USA got off to a shaky start on Day 2 and looked out of sorts for much of the match as they only led 14-0 at the half before they pulled away in the 2nd half. The USA got tries from five different players and nine points from Madison Hughes to take down Guyana.

Canada 17 Chile 12 – In one of the most exciting and crazy matches of any tournament ever, Canada overcome Chile in overtime. Chile led for most of the match and had a 12-5 lead with less than a minute to play in regulation. Chile was then penalized six times in the final minute and had two players yellow carded for repeated silly infringements at the ruck. Even then, with no time left and Canada just feet from the goal line, a Canadian player appeared to knock on the ball. It would have ended the match were it not for a Chilean player picking the ball up and running with it downfield using up the advantage. Instead of kicking straight to touch, the player kicked the ball downfield where Canada started a counter attack that ended with a Harry Jones try. Nathan Hirayama’s conversion tied the match. In extra time, another penalty from Chile and a heads up play  and try from Phil Mack ended the drama.

Uruguay 12 Brazil 5 – Another close match as Uruguay slipped past Brazil to stay in the medal hunt. A Rodrigo Silva Pisano try and conversion in the second half served as the difference maker for Uruguay.

Argentina 53 Mexico 0 – Argentina ran in nine tries en route to booking a place in the semifinals. Rodrigo Etchart and Ramiro Finco each scored two tries for Argentina.

5-8th Place Seeding Matches

Chile 31 Guyana – After their heartbreaking loss to Canada, Chile left nothing to guess as they rolled over Guyana. Benjamin Soto scored two tries for Chile in the victory.

Brazil 14 Mexico 7 – Mexico gave Brazil everything they had and nearly came away with an upset. A Matheus Da Cruz Daniel try for Brazil with a minute left in the match broke a 7-7 tie and gave Brazil the victory.

Semifinals

Canada 26 USA 19 – After sneaking past Chile, Canada took an early lead, but fell behind the USA in the second half. Just when it looked like the USA was going to put the game away, Canada came back with two unanswered tries. Admir Cejvanovic scored with no time left on the clock to break a 19-19 tie and push the Maple Leafs into the Gold Medal match.

Argentina 43 Uruguay 7 – Argentina continued to roll as they pounded South American rivals Uruguay with six tries. Santiago Alvarez scored two tries in the winning effort.

7-8th Place Match

Guyana 26 Mexico 22 – In the battle between two winless teams, Guyana came out ahead, but not without a fight. After falling behind early, Mexico used a second half surge and nearly stole the victory. Patrick King paced the Guyana offense with three tries.

5-6th Place Match

Chile 12 Brazil 7 – In yet another barn burner, Chile snuck past Brazil after trailing 7-0 at halftime. Felipe Brangier and Tomas Ianiszewski each scored tries for Chile as they finished their tournament on a high note.

Bronze Medal Match

USA 40 Uruguay 12 – After another slow start that saw Uruguay draw even 7-7 after a few minutes, the USA kicked into gear and rolled to victory. Stephen Tomasin and Perry Baker each scored two tries for the USA. The Bronze Medal certainly wasn’t the one the USA wanted or expected, but with six key players not making the trip this tournament was an excellent opportunity to add depth and experience to the team’s second line of players.

Gold/Silver Match

Canada 22 Argentina 19 – It is only fitting that after their two previous wins on Day 2 that Canada would find themselves in another thrilling match. A rematch of the 2011 Pan Am Games final, Argentina came out strong and had a 12-0 lead with a minute left in the first half. Canada was able to get on the board before the half to cut the lead to 12-7. Canada tied the match at 12-12 early in the second half only to see Argentina push out to a 19-12 lead. With time dwindling, Phil Mack scored another important try for Canada to cut Argentina’s lead to 19-17. Then, with no time left on the clock, Harry Jones scored to give the Maple Leafs a 22-19 win and the Gold Medal.