Defending champions Argentina completed a grand double in the Santiago 2023 Pan Am Games hockey competition by retaining both the men's and the women's hockey titles.
Argentina had beaten Chile 3-1 in the men’s final on Friday and won the women's final won by a narrow 2-1 margin the following day. The gold medal triumphs mean the two teams get direct entry into the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
For Argentina, it was the 11th successive title in the men’s section. In the women’s final it was a close call until the 51st minute, when Eugenia Trinchetti scored a field goal to seal the win for her team.
As the game was heading for a breather, the USA earned a penalty stroke after an attacker was stick-blocked before taking a shot at the goal. Argentina protested and opted for a video referral. However, the field umpire’s decision was upheld, and Ashley Sessa equalized the score by converting a penaly flick.
The equalizer infused some fresh life into the game after the change of ends. The US girls were more biting in their moves, but Argentina’s defence stood firm and did not allow any further damage.
Teams that finished second and third in the Pan Am Games have become eligible to play in the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments to be played early next year.
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