The 2024 Junior Pan American Championships in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, concluded with an exciting finish. Argentina reclaimed the top spot by defeating the USA 3-1 in the gold-medal match, a title they last won in 2016. Earlier, Chile secured the bronze medal with a lone goal from Francisca Irazoqui in the third quarter. All three medal-winning teams earned spots in the 2025 Junior World Cup. Argentina’s Valentina Ferola was named MVP, USA’s Alyssa Klebasko was the top keeper, and Catalina Stamati was the top goal scorer with seven goals.
Argentina started strong, putting the USA on the defensive. Pilar Pisthon’s early penalty corners tested USA’s goalkeeper, Alyssa Klebasko. Lourdes Pisthon scored the first goal by deflecting Ariana Arias’ pass into the net. Victoria Falasco doubled the lead with a back-hand shot. The USA’s Daniela Mendez-Trendler responded with a goal, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Although Argentina initially scored again through Catalina Stamati, a video referral overturned the goal, keeping the score close at halftime.
The second half saw continued pressure from Argentina. Abi Burnett blocked a Pilar Pisthon flick, and despite a yellow card for Mia Shoenbeck and a green card for Hope Rose, the USA struggled. Ariana Arias scored to make it 3-1. The USA had several penalty corner opportunities but couldn’t get past Argentina’s keeper, Mercedes Artola. Argentina celebrated their return to the top after previous losses in 2023 and 2021.
The bronze medal match between Uruguay and Chile was tightly contested. Both teams had penalty corner chances but couldn’t convert in the first half, ending it scoreless. In the second half, Francisca Irazoqui capitalized on a penalty corner to score the only goal of the match. Despite Uruguay pulling their goalkeeper and facing a penalty corner in the final minutes, Chile maintained their lead and secured the bronze medal. This victory earned Chile a spot in the Junior World Cup and marked their second consecutive bronze medal.
