The USA-Canada Challenge Under-17 four-game field hockey series last week ended in a 2-2 deadlock. Despite that, Coquitlam product Paige Hamilton felt she personally came out a huge winner.
In what Hamilton described as "an unforgettable opportunity for me," she helped Canada post a pair of victories versus the vaunted Americans to split the exhibition event at West Vancouver's Rutledge Field.
"The series was an amazing experience for me, seeing as I have never played at an international level before," said Hamilton, a Heritage Woods secondary school student. "Playing my first international match on home turf was a very proud moment for me, as I had support on the sidelines from friends and family."
Hamilton joined two other Tri-City high school field hockey standouts, Gleneagle's Sydney Veljacic and Port Moody's Samantha McIlwrick, on the 26-player Canadian squad which posted 4-2 and 2-1 victories Thursday and Saturday respectively, with the U.S. having opened the series with a 2-0 triumph last Wednesday and closed it with a 2-1 win Sunday.
"The U.S. brought up some great talent and skill, providing competitive matches for my teammates and I, which made the games challenging yet enjoyable," Hamilton told The Tri-City News.
Undoubtedly, the Canadians' 4-2 victory Thursday on the heels of a two-goal defeat the previous day was the highlight of the series for them.
Canada quickly moved the ball up the pitch and created many early chances. Unfortunately, the U.S. countered and scored an early goal to take a 1-0 lead. Canada responded with more attacking play, and were rewarded with a deflection goal by West Vancouver's Hailey Reeves off a reverse stick shot by Veljacic.
Canada the struck for back-to-back goals to take a 3-1 cushion into halftime, only to have the U.S. strike back in the second with a tally to make things tight again.
Finally, in the game's final minutes and after the U.S. pulled their goalie, Canada was able to withstand the pressure and added an insurance goal.
"I was very pleased with the team's performance today," Canada head coach Krista Thompson said after the big win. "They [Canadian players] improved upon their performance from [Wednesday] and were able to capitalize on their opportunities."
For Hamilton, along with co-Coquitlam natives Veljacic and McIlwrick, the field hockey horizon looks extremely bright.
"From here, my goals are to play for Team BC throughout the summer and train with the Junior National Team," Hamilton said. "Hopefully, with my commitment to the sport and hard work, I will be able to obtain a spot on the U21 National Team in the near future."
