During a showdown in Victoria, B.C., Team USA goalie Molly Schaus (Natick, Mass.) made 41 saves, but it wasn't enough to stop Canada. Team USA fell 3-1 last night at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
Team USA's Lisa Chesson"Molly Schaus played very well in net and gave us an opportunity in the third period to still be in the game, but we came up short," said Mark Johnson, head coach for Team USA. "We'll definitely take some things away from this game and continue with our process of preparation."
Canada went up 1-0 late in the first period on a power play goal from Megan Agosta. Both goaltenders performed flawlessly during the second period, preventing either team from adding a tally.
Sarah Vaillancourt put Canada up 2-0 early in the third, but was answered by Erika Lawler (Fitchburg, Mass.) who cut the U.S. deficit in half at 6:16. Agosta slipped another one past Schaus to put Canada up 3-1 for the final.
The U.S. and Canada will meet five more times during the 2009-10 season in preparation for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
The U.S. squad returns to action on Sat., Oct. 10, against the University of North Dakota in Warroad, Minn. The game is part of the 10-game, nine-city Qwest Tour. Team USA will face off against Canada next on Oct. 16 in Spokane, Wash. For tickets and more information, visit www.QwestTour.com.