| Infante sisters lead Chile to
Junior Pan Am Games medal
BY MIKE UNGER
Photos by Larry French
Camila Infante, above, and her
sister Denise starred on Chile’s bronze-medal winning Junior Pan Am Games team.
|
Years from now, when Chilean field hockey enthusiasts reflect on their nation’s first-ever Junior Pan Am Games medal, one name will inevitably bring smiles to their faces: Infante. Sisters Camila and Denise Infante, stars on AU’s field hockey team, shined on a world stage last month when they led their native Chile to the bronze medal. Camila, a sophomore, was the tournament’s sixth-leading goal scorer, and she registered the winning goal in the bronze medal game. Denise, a freshman, played forward and tallied a goal and an assist for the tournament. “I am proud of the team that for the first time in history, we got a medal,” Camila said. “My expectation was to get the silver medal, but for that we had to beat the U.S. Still, I was pleased.” Chile went 4-1 in the tournament, which was held in Puerto Rico. After dropping a semifinal match to the Americans, Chile rebounded to defeat Canada for third place. “I was proud that we were able to pick up and play a good game in the [bronze medal] match,” Denise said. With its third-place finish, Chile qualified for the Junior World Cup, which will be held in Santiago, Chile, in September. The Infantes international experience was a big reason why in the fall the Eagles had their best-ever field hockey season. Camila was named the Patriot League’s Player of the Year and a second-team All-American after leading the team in points and assists. Denise was the 2004 Patriot League Tournament MVP after scoring a goal and recording two assists. AU went 19-3 and won its first NCAA Tournament game before falling in the second round to Maryland. Coach Steve Jennings expects the Infantes Pan Am experience to mold them—and their teammates—into better players. “Anytime you’re able to play against the highest level of competition possible it’s going to be able to transfer in every imaginable way in their preparation for the team,” he said. “There’s no drawbacks at all. Playing in huge games like semis and bronze just allows them to be more calm in big matches for us later in the year. The more the key players can stay calm, the greater effect it will have on the rest of the team. By seeing things at a different level, they can take different skills back to the practice field, and that will help everyone immensely.” Camila and Denise echoed those sentiments. “It’s going to improve my game and improve the way I communicate with my teammates,” Camila said. “Staying close together with my teammates helps the team.” “You learn a lot,” said Denise, who excelled last year despite missing the first eight games of the season. “You have to have a good attitude, and you have to fight for what you want. It makes you grow up.” Though the sisters always give their all for AU, they felt a different kind of pride while wearing the jersey of their native nation. “I’m really proud of representing my country, of course,” Camila said. “Playing for your country means more. My goal was always to play [in the forthcoming] World Cup and trying hard to do my best. I always want to get better.” |
