By Avenash Ramzan
Guyana’s Women ended the Indoor Pan American Hockey Cup without a win, losing their final game against Uruguay 7-1 on Saturday afternoon in Spring City, Pennsylvania, USA.
By virtue of the defeat, the Guyanese finished bottom of the table in the five-team tournament.
Missing some key players even before heading on court for their opening game, Guyana again faltered, as Uruguay recorded their first win, following one loss and two drawn encounters.
The lone scorer for Guyana was skipper Marzana Fiedtkou, who netted in the 24th minute.
Uruguay’s victory was set up by Constanza Barrandeguy, who scored a hat-trick, and Camila Piazza with a double. Maria Correa and Camila de Maria were the other goalscorers.
Guyana lost to defending champions and top ranked USA 20-2 and Argentina 14-0 on Friday, and Canada 13-0 earlier on Saturday. Guyana’s lone scorer against USA was Abosaide Cadogan.
While the scorelines clearly show one-sided affairs, the outcome must be put into context.
The Guyanese were depleted from the onset, losing three players before the competition started. Upon arrival in the USA, senior player Sonia Jardine picked up an ankle injury, and appointed skipper Gabriella Xavier and goalkeeper Alysa Xavier contracted COVID-19.
It meant a team short on resources had to resort to other options, one of which was putting manager Princess Wilkie to take up the goalkeeper role.
Wilkie had never before wore goalkeeper gear, much less standing in the crucial position in a high-level competition.
Coach Philip Fernandes said Guyana could have taken the easy route and opt out of the competition, given the setbacks, but opted to play on to give the young team some much-needed exposure.
Guyana was the lowest ranked nation the tournament at 31, with USA at 12, Argentina 16, Canada 18 and Uruguay 22.
Guyana’s participation in the tournament was made possible through support from GTT, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Guyana Olympic Association, Bounty Farm Limited and MVP Sports.
The three-day tournament will wrap up on Sunday with the final and third place playoff.
The full Guyana squad reads: Abosaide Cadogan, Alysa Xavier, Gabriella Xavier, Ashley DeGroot, Trisha Woodroffe, Sarah Klautky, Madison Fernandes, Aliyah Gordon, Clayza Bobb, Marzana Fiedtkou and Makeda Harding. Coach: Philip Fernandes; Manager: Princessa Wilkie.
