Pan Am Games: Mexico Defeats Canada to Secure Bronze Medal
7/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
• Pan American Games Site | Women's Soccer Schedule | ESPN3 Schedule
The University of Michigan women's soccer program will be represented by one current student-athlete and two former student-athletes at the 2015 Pan American Games from July 11-25 in Toronto.
Current Michigan senior Christina Murillo will represent Mexico. She recently missed the 2014-15 academic year to train with Mexico in preparation for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, where she became the first Wolverine to compete in the event. Following the Pan American Games, she will return to Ann Arbor for her final year of eligibility in soccer and to complete her degree in psychology.
Michigan alums Nkem Ezurike and Shelina Zadorsky, who were Wolverine teammates from 2010-13, will both compete for Canada. Ezurike, Zadorsky and Murillo all helped the Maize and Blue construct one on its most successful seasons in program history in 2013, advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight for the second time in the history of the program.
Check below for match-by-match updates and results and follow along on social media throughout the Pan American Games:
• Twitter: @umichwsoccer | Facebook: Michigan Women's Soccer
| Name | Position | |
| Mexico | ||
| Christina Murillo | Defense | @xtinamurillo10 |
| Canada | ||
| Nkem Ezurike | Forward | @Nkemg22 |
| Shelina Zadorsky | Defense | @Shelina6 |
Friday, July 24 • Bronze Medal Game
Mexico 2, Canada 1
U-M senior Christina Murillo helped lead Mexico to the bronze medal in the Pan American Games with a 2-1 win over former U-M teammates Shelina Zadorsky and Nkem Ezurike and Team Canada. Murillo played the entire match for Mexico, while Zadorsky and Ezurike entered the match at halftime and at the 68-minute mark, respectively. Mexico's Monica Ocampo scored first in the 29th minute, and teammate Stephany Mayor quickly gave Mexico a 2-0 lead 37 minutes into the match. Canada made a run at a comeback, scoring in the 88th minute to make it a 2-1 game. The final minutes saw aggressive play as both teams fought for the bronze medal. Mexico was given three yellow cards in the final six minutes of play, including four minutes of stoppage play. Canada was awarded a free kick 25 yards out with 30 seconds remaining but could not manage the equalizer. With a bronze medal in hand, Murillo will now return to Ann Arbor to rejoin the Wolverines for the 2015 season.
Wednesday, July 22 • Semifinals
Colombia 1, Canada 0
Team Canada dropped a 1-0 match to Colombia in the Pan American Games semifinals, with the game's only goal coming in the 29th minute. Shelina Zadorsky started and played all 90 minutes on defense, while Nkem Ezurike did not see any game action. Canada will now compete in the bronze medal match against Mexico on Friday, July 24, at 8:30 p.m. Zadorsky and Ezurike will face off against former Michigan teammate Christina Murillo, who is a center back for Mexico. The trio competed together at U-M for three seasons (2011-13), leading the Wolverines to NCAA Third Round and Elite Eight appearances in 2012 and 2013, respectively. The bronze-medal match will be streamed live on ESPN3.
Wednesday, July 22 • Semifinals
Brazil 4, Mexico 2
Mexico suffered a 4-2 setback to Brazil in the Pan American Games semifinals, which dropped Michigan senior Christina Murillo's squad into the bronze medal match against host Canada on Friday, July 24, at 8:30 p.m. Murillo started and played all 90 minutes for Mexico at center back in today's match. Brazil got out of the gates quickly, scoring in the fourth minute of play, but an own goal by Brazil in the 25th minute negated its lead (1-1). The one minute of stoppage play added at the end of the first half played in Brazil's favor as it was able to take a 2-1 lead into the break. The second half started poorly for Mexico when an own goal in the second minute of play gave Brazil a two-goal advantage. Mexico regrouped and pulled within one, 3-2, with 20 minutes to play, but a Brazil goal three minutes later put the game out of reach for Mexico, 4-2. Murillo and Team Mexico will now face off against former Michigan teammates Shelina Zadorsky and Nkem Ezurike, who play for Canada. The trio competed together at U-M for three seasons (2011-13), leading the Maize and Blue to NCAA Third Round and Elite Eight appearances in 2012 and 2013, respectively. The bronze-medal match will be streamed live on ESPN3.
Sunday, July 19 • Group B Game 3
Brazil 2, Canada 0
In the third and final Group B match of the Pan American Games, Canada was defeated 2-0 by Brazil, but will still advance to the semifinal round on goal differential. Canada finished group play in a three-way tie for second place (-1) with Costa Rica (-3) and Ecuador (-7), but is the team to move on after scoring five goals and allowing six in three matches. Against Brazil, Shelina Zadorsky started and played all 90 minutes on defense, while forward Nkem Ezurike entered the game in the 74th minute. Following a scoreless first half, Brazil's two goals came in the 55th- and 87th minute. Canada will now face Colombia in the first semifinal match on Wednesday, July 22, at 5:35 p.m. The match will be streamed live on ESPN3.
Saturday, July 18 • Group A Game 3
Mexico 3, Trinidad & Tobago 1
In Mexico's final Group A match of the Pan American Games, it defeated Trinidad and Tobago, 3-1, to earn a spot in the semifinals. Mexico finished group play with a 2-1 mark, including a win over Argentina. Michigan senior Christina Murillo has started and played every minute of Mexico's first three matches. In today's match, Stephany Mayor gave Mexico a 2-0 lead at the half with a pair of goals at the 28- and 45-minute marks. Trinidad & Tobago narrowed the deficit, 2-1, scoring at the 51-minute mark, but Mexico responded with its third goal in the 70th minute to earn the 3-1 win. Mexico will now play Brazil in the second semifinal match on Wednesday (July 22) at 8:35 p.m. The match will be streamed live on ESPN3.
Wednesday, July 15 • Group B Game 2
Costa Rica 2, Canada 0
In the second match of Group B action at the Pan American Games, Canada suffered a 2-0 loss to Costa Rica, surrendering both goals in the second half. Shelina Zadorsky started and played all 90 minutes, while Nkem Ezurike started and was subbed out at the 57-minute mark. After a scoreless first half, Costa Rica struck first in the 61st minute by heading in a corner kick and added a second reassurance goal in the 74th minute. Canada had several chances, including a shot that struck the cross bar in 83rd minute but could not manage a goal. Team Canada will be back in action for its third and final Group B match against Brazil on Sunday (July 19) at 8:30 p.m. The match will be streamed live on ESPN3. Canada is tied for second place in Group B with three points with Costa Rica and will need a win over Brazil to guarantee a spot in the semifinals.
Tuesday, July 14 • Group A Game 2
Mexico 3, Argentina 1
Mexico improved to 1-1 in Group A play of the Pan American Games with a 3-1 victory over Argentina. For the second straight match, Michigan senior Christina Murillo earned the start and played all 90 minutes. Teresa Noyola gave Mexico an early lead it never conceded in the first minute of play. Mexico held a 1-0 lead at halftime, before back-to-back goals from Nayeli Rangel (73') and Jennifer Ruiz (76') pushed its lead to 3-0. Argentina was able to get on the board on a goal off a free kick in the 81st minute. Mexico held and 8-2 advantage in shots on frame and a 12-4 lead in corner kicks. Murillo and Team Mexico will play its third and final Group A match on Saturday (July 18) against Trinidad & Tobago at 5:30 p.m. The match will be streamed live on ESPN3.
Saturday, July 11 • Group A Game 1
Colombia 1, Mexico 0
In the opening Group A match of the 2015 Pan American Games, Michigan senior Christina Murillo earned the start and played all 90 minutes against Colombia. Mexico was defeated by Colombia, 1-0, on the lone goal of the match in the 65th minute. Murillo and Team Mexico will be back in Group A action on Tuesday, July 14, against Argentina at 5:30 p.m. The match will be streamed live on ESPN3.
Saturday, July 11 • Group B Game 1
Canada 5, Ecuador 2
In the opening game of group play at the 2015 Pan American Games, Michigan alums Nkem Ezurike and Shelina Zadorsky helped their native country of Canada defeat Ecuador, 5-2. Zadorsky earned the start and made a splash in her Pan Am debut, scoring two goals. Canada netted the first goal of the match in the 12th minute before Ecuador evened the playing field, 1-1, in the 29th minute. Zadorsky helped Canada take a 2-1 lead before the half with her first Pan Am goal and then chipped in her second goal off a corner kick at the start of the second half (48'). Zadorsky was subbed out in the 67th minute and Canada cruised to a 5-2 victory. Canada will be back in action in Group B play on Wednesday, July 15, against Costa Rica at 8:30 p.m. The match will be streamed live on ESPN3.
Mexico's Schedule and Results
| Date | Opponent | Time/Result | TV |
| Saturday, July 11 | Colombia (Group A) | L, 1-0 | ESPN3 |
| Tuesday, July 14 | Argentina (Group A) | W, 3-1 | ESPN3 |
| Saturday, July 18 | Trinidad & Tobago (Group A) | W, 3-1 | ESPN3 |
| Wednesday, July 22 | Brazil (Semifinal) | L, 4-2 | ESPN3 |
| Friday, July 24 | Canada (Bronze-Medal Match) | W, 2-1 | ESPN3 |
Canada's Schedule and Results
| Date | Opponent | Time/Result | TV |
| Saturday, July 11 | Ecuador (Group B) | W, 5-2 | ESPN3 |
| Wednesday, July 15 | Costa Rica (Group B) | L, 2-0 | ESPN3 |
| Sunday, July 19 | Brazil (Group B) | L, 2-0 | ESPN3 |
| Wednesday, July 22 | Colombia (Semifinal) | L, 1-0 | ESPN3 |
| Friday, July 24 | Mexico (Bronze-Medal Match) | L, 2-1 | ESPN3 |
* All matches Eastern Time
Group A: Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Colombia
Group B: Canada, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador
