Bermuda's hockey players may have been beaten in all five games they played at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship in Montevideo, Uruguay but they won in other ways.

Bermuda failed to win a match at the tournament which ended over the weekend but they did come away with the Fair Play Award.

One of Bermuda's managers, Juliette Oatley, said yesterday: "Although the girls were unable to win a game against the Pan American powerhouses, they have taken more from this tournament than the scores reflect.

The team was awarded the Fair Play Award, which reflects their strong sportsman-like conduct. The team was a young one with a lot to learn and will be able to grow for the next tournament they compete in.

"The tournament was one where our young side – the youngest in the tournament – had many difficult opponents. The final three games of the tournament the girls faced Chile, Mexico and Paraguay.

"In the Mexico game the team was able to covert a field goal, with Katie Masters putting away the goal, which came from shot from our youngest team member Lorina-Le Harvey.

"The Paraguay game (on Saturday) was one where the girls fought hard. The team found themselves one goal down after four minutes as a result of a penalty stroke.

"Towards the end of the first half, Ryanne Bardgette was successful in converting a penalty corner, equalising the score. There were no goals scored in the second half.

As a result of the 1-1 score, the game went into sudden death overtime for 15 minutes.

"After no one was able to score, the game was decided on penalty strokes.

The Paraguay goal keeper, who won the prize for Best Goalie of the Tournament, was able to save the first two shots taken.

Katie Masters was able to place one in the net but the Paraguay strokes won the match for them (4-1on penalties).

The team will arrive back in Bermuda this evening at 8.30 p.m.

In the first match of the tournament in round robin play in Pool B, Bermuda lost 11-0 the US and then 8-0 to Uruguay and 17-0 to Chile.

In the play-off game they lost to Mexico 10-1 and in the seventh-eighth place game on Saturday they lost to Paraguay on penalties.

Argentina won the gold with Canada winning the silver and the US taking home the bronze.

Premier Ewart Brown yesterday congratulated the team saying: "Our team has represented Bermuda and themselves with distinction.

"Matched up against the powerhouses of the Pan American region, our young women have earned the respect of the world. Too often the media spotlight fails to shine on Bermuda's young people who are working hard and playing by the rules. Bermuda's Under 17 Women's National Hockey Team has achieved an accomplishment worthy of praise and emulation."