Team Canada Women’s O55 grab a silver medal in Paraguay
The Field Hockey Canada Masters O55 team, coached by Laura Jacobs from Calgary, Alberta and managed by Fran Sloan-Sainas from North Vancouver, BC, consists of players from BC, Alberta and Ontario and competed in the 2025 World Masters Hockey PanAm Championships in Asuncion, Paraguay from September 21-28.
Team Canada met Argentina O55 in its first game, which wound up being a finals preview, on Sunday September 21. Team Canada kept Argentina scoreless until the middle of the third quarter; however, with temperatures recorded at 38 degrees C (100 degrees F), high humidity and a skillful Argentina team, the final score was Argentina 4 – Canada 0.
On Tuesday September 23rd Canada played the home team Paraguay O55. Paraguay lead with a goal in the second period, but three minutes into the second half, Canada’s Liz Shortt from Calgary scored from a pass from North Vancouver’s Pat Macleod. The final score was a 1-1 draw. Team Canada’s next game was on Wednesday September 24th versus a younger O50 Argentinian team. They were fit and fast; however, Canada played excellent defence and the team was proud to keep them to three goals. To end the pool play Canada went head to head with Argentina 60. It was a tight “must win” game for Canada to get a spot in the 55+ age group final. In the 4th quarter, Teresa Schwartz from Vancouver, BC connected on a pass from Karina Wood of North Vancouver, to put the ball over the goal line. Canada won 1-0, setting up a rematch against Argentina 55 in the age group final.
Once again in the final, Canada came up against a stout Argentinian squad. Argentina started fast and furious potting two first quarter goals. Canada settled down a bit and kept the game tight. In the end, Argentina scored a few more at the end of the match securing the victory. Canada’s impressive run finished in silver and featured those critical performances against the hosts, Paraguay at the O60 Argentinian teams. It was an exciting event for Team Canada and puts the team in position to succeed at the upcoming Masters World Cups next summer.
