– Qualifies for Indoor Hockey World Cup 

THE United States of America (USA) defeated two-time (2008 and 2010) champions Argentina 2 – 1 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall last evening to win their maiden Pan American Indoor Hockey Championship.

With the win, the USA qualified for the 2018 Indoor Hockey World Cup which will be played from Feb 7 – 11 in Berlin, Germany. It will be the first time for the Americans competing at the World Cup.

The USA finished the week-long tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with an unbeaten record, scoring a total of 35 goals and only conceding seven.

After a scoreless first half, Katie Gerzabek scored a field goal in the 31st minute to give the Americans the advantage, but, the USA’s celebration was short-lived, since Argentina’s Emma Yanzi scored a field goal of her own to equalize in the 34th minute.

However, Ali Campbell, the tournament’s leading goal scorer, netted her 19th goal of the Championship when she scored in the 35th minute. Campbell’s goal turned out to be the game winner and the shot that would send her country to Germany in February.

It was the third time the Americans featured in the Pan American Indoor Hockey finals, having loss 2 – 1 to Canada in 2005 and went down 2 – 4 against Argentina in 2008.

In 2010, the Americans picked up bronze behind Uruguay and winners Argentina. In 2014, the Americans again picked up bronze, this time behind Argentina and winners Canada.