HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC):
Jamaica lost 10-0 to the United States and Bermuda also crashed to a 10-0 defeat, on the opening day of the eight-nation Women's Pan-American Cup, which opened at the National Sports Centre on Saturday.
Trinidad and Tobago went down 7-1 to defending champions Argentina, Noel Barrionuevo scoring a hat-trick, while Chile downed Mexico 6-1.
Bermuda lost 10-0 to Canada, whose Stephanie Nesbitt scored a hat-trick.
Challenge expected
Argentina, the USA and Chile are all expected to challenge for the title. As defending champions, Argentina are narrow favourites, but both the US and Chile will fancy their chances against a side that has opted for youth over experience for the tournament.
While the winners of the event are guaranteed a place in next year's Women's Hockey World Cup, Argentina as hosts have already secured a spot and have taken the chance to give some of their younger players international experience.
Jamaica, who beat Bermuda 5-0 in a warm-up match, trailed the USA 5-0 at half-time and let in five more goals after the break as Sarah Dawson completed a hat-trick.
The Americans' first-half goals came through Lauren Crandall (10th and 25th minute), Keli Smith (18th), Jesse Gey (26th), and Dina Rizzo (34th). Dawson made it 6-0 after 41 minutes, 7-0 four minutes later and added her third in the 53rd minute. Captain Carrie Lingo made it 9-0 and Katherine Reinprecht rounded out the scoring in the 68th minute in the Group B match.
Reduced the arrears
In Group A, Argentina quickly took a 2-0 lead against Trinidad and Tobago through Rosario Luchetti (6) and Barrionuevo (8), and Blair Wynne reduced the arrears when she scored from a penalty corner. But four minutes later, Argentina restored their two-goal advantage through Barrionuevo and five minutes afterwards, Luchetti scored again for Argentina to make the half-time score 4-1.
Daniela Sruoga added a fifth in the 49th minute and Barrionuevo completed her hat-trick in the 68th minute before Sruoga scored her second goal in the 70th minute.