Indian women’s hockey team eases past Canada in USA Tour

Manheim : Vandana Katariya and Deepika struck two goals each as the Indian women’s hockey team thrashed Canada 5-2 to record its second victory in the ongoing tour of USA. After Vandana (9th and 51st minute) and Deepika (38th and 49th minute), Poonam Rani added a fifth in the 58th minute for India in the match. Quickly off the blocks, India were dominant in the early exchanges, pushing Canada on the defensive. The Indians won a penalty corner early in the first quarter, but failed to convert it. Soon enough though, they had the lead via Vandana’s field goal in the 9th minute. Off a second PC soon after, Poonam’s deflected shot was saved by the defender on the post to prevent India from doubling their lead. Canada came out with a PC of their own but India defended strongly to prevent an equaliser and went into the break in the lead. Canada came out quicker in the second quarter and scored the equaliser via a Stephanie Norlander PC conversion in the 17th minute.