The four-time Olympic medallists added to the men's triumph yesterday with victory at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex in Lancaster in Pennsylvania.

It is a victory which also sees Italy qualify for next year's Women's Hockey World Cup in London.

The Argentinians had already qualified through the Hockey World League semi-finals, so the spot reserved for the continental champions has been passed to the Italians, the next best finishers at that competition after their sixth-place result in Brussels. 

Las Leonas were made to work hard for their victory in today's final, with Chile goalkeeper Clauadia Schuler making a string of early saves.

Julia Gomes and Julieta Jankunas finally found a way through towards the end of the first quarter, with Maria Granatto and Noel Barrionuevo's penalty stroke adding extra gloss to the scoreline.

Chile, whose silver medal is their highest-ever finish, grabbed a consolation through Sofia Walbaum.

In the bronze medal contest, hosts United States beat Canada 2-1.

The Americans, the number four side in the world, were shocked by Chile in the semi-finals but recovered to at least seal a spot on the podium.

Attention now turns to the European Hockey Championships, beginning in Dutch capital Amsterdam on Friday (August 18). 

The Women's World Cup in London will be played between July 21 and August 5 next year.