U.S. Masters Teams Progress through WMH World Cup Pool Stage, O-40 Women Secures Spot in Quarterfinals

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - The U.S. Masters Teams have progressed through the World Masters Hockey (WMH) World Cup pool stage, with the men finishing up on Thursday, while the women are already heading into crossovers. With two more days of pool play for the men, the O-40 still have to meet South Africa and the O-65 still need to face Ireland and Italy. The O-35 Women head into crossovers on Friday against Australia A, while the O-40 Women finished at the top of their pool to secure a spot in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

In their second pool game, U.S. O-40 Men met England. Scoreless until the 23rd minute, it was England who got on the board first off a penalty corner. Five minutes later England doubled their lead, again off a penalty corner, then gained a 3-0 advantage just before the half ended with a field goal.

Four minutes inside the third quarter, England struck again, taking a 4-0 lead. USA got on the board in the 41st minute when David de Prez (Prosper, Texas) broke through with a goal in open play. England went on to score three more unanswered, all off penalty corners, for a 7-1 final.

The U.S. O-35 Women and Hong Kong went head-to-head in a tight contest. Scoreless through the first three quarters, the final frame was action packed and saw chances for both sides.

Just inside the third quarter, Hong Kong was awarded a penalty stroke and USA goalkeeper Emma Beck (Baltimore, Md.) came up with the big stop. Each team produced offensive threats but it was Hong Kong who tallied in the 48th minute. As time ticked down, USA pulled Beck for an extra field player. This gave the red, white and blue an edge as they continued to attack, producing some circle entries and penalty corners but failed to convert. Hong Kong added one more in the final minute on an empty net.

Heading into this match, the U.S. O-40 Women were tied with Singapore at the top of the pool, both with six points.

USA jumped to an early lead just 2 minutes into the contest when Katie Grant (Washington, D.C.) struck first. Three minutes later, off a penalty corner, Pattie Gillern (Medford, N.J.) extended the red, white and blue's lead to 2-0. Singapore presented a few close chances, but it was USA who secured the victory, and top place finish in Pool C, when Grant added one more in the 51st minute.

With the win, the O-40 Women advance to the quarterfinals where they will play Chile on Thursday, October 17 at 2:45 a.m. ET.

For more information on the WMH World Cup Cape Town, including schedule, results, rosters and livestream information, check out the event page by clicking here.