Meghan Agosta holding her head high, despite loss in Olympic gold medal game
Meghan Agosta was at the centre of a critical moment at the Olympics Thursday, when her final shot in a shootout for the gold medal failed to make it past the U.S. goalie.
The Ruthven, Ont. native may have missed on that chance for Canada to repeat as gold medal winners in women's hockey, but she did score earlier in the shootout, and assisted on a goal in regulation.
The United States won the game 3-2. Agosta was upset about the loss, but still savoured representing Canada and taking the silver.
"It's been amazing to be able to put on this jersey and represent Canada. It's an honour every time," she said through tears. "It's just unfortunate you know. You work so hard, and I'm just so proud of the girls."
Canadian women had won the last four Olympic hockey titles, including three against the U.S.
"When it comes down to shootout, it can go either way, but I'm very proud, not only of myself, but the team, and we just have to hold our heads high," said Agosta. "I don't think this will be the end. I have to go back to work, but we had something special here."
Agosta will be returning to British Columbia where she works as a police officer with the Vancouver Police Department.
Staff working for the Town of Kingsville donned Canada jerseys to cheer on Agosta and her teammates, and Mayor Nelson Santos said he stayed up late to watch the game.
Despite the outcome, he said he's still excited for the town's "golden girl" and the rest of team Canada.
"We're just proud of obviously the whole effort from Team Canada and our local connection, Meghan Agosta," he explained. "We've seen her mature from her first Olympics to now, and she's basically become a leader on the team and helping encourage the future of Canada women's hockey. Her actions and certainly her performance on the ice left nothing but pride from our community."
Town wants to say thanks
Agosta has visited the town after previous medal wins, and Santos said that's something Kingsville will contact her about doing again once the Olympics end.
"I can't say enough how we've seen Meghan Agosta come forward and been an inspiration for many of our youth and certainly for the future of hockey," he said. "The efforts that she's put in are not lost on us, so we want to give an opportunity to say thanks to her."
