Ritner shines as U.S. cadet team makes gold medal match

Corona del Mar High senior Heidi Ritner had seven saves in goal Wednesday as the U.S. women’s cadet national team beat Brazil, 21-5, to advance to the title match of the UANA Youth Pan American Championships in Kingston, Jamaica.

Team USA will play Canada for the gold medal on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. Pacific time. A live webcast is available.

Ritner, a two-time Newport-Mesa Dream Team selection, has served as Team USA’s primary goalie in the tournament. She made eight saves in a 16-3 pool-play win over Brazil, and six saves in a 21-7 victory against Mexico. Earlier in the tournament, she had 10 saves in a 25-6 win over Canada, as well as three saves in a 27-4 victory against Trinidad & Tobago.

— Matt Szabo