VANCOUVER – As predicted and projected early and often during the Women’s World Cup, Canada’s Kadeisha Buchanan on Sunday was named winner of the Hyundai Young Player Award.

The youngest girl in a family of six sisters raised by a single mother in Toronto is headed home to the Pan Am Games as Canada’s newest sports star.

Up against Ada Hegerberg of Norway and Tiali Tang of China, Buchanan was the best player on her team and a lock to win the award that recognizes players born after January 1995.

Her mother sat in the stands here with tears coming down her face as Buchanan accepted the award at the end of the final game.

The Adidas Golden Ball awarded to the MVP of the tournament went to American Carli Lloyd, who also won the Silver Boot for goals and Player of the Game honours.

The Silver Ball and Bronze Ball were awarded to Amandine Henry of France and Aya Miyama of Japan, respectively.

Celia Sasic of Germany won the Golden Boot and Anja Mittag of Germany the Bronze Boot. All three “boot” winners had six goals.

The other award, the Golden Glove, goes to the keepers and, despite giving up the two goals in the final American keeper Hope Solo was named winner.

France was named winner of the Fair Play award.