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POREČ, Croatia – The final pool game of the 2025 FIH Hockey Indoor World Cup for the No. 9 U.S. Women’s National Indoor Team against No. 8 Belgium was an intense contest from the start. After Belgium tallied in the first five minutes, USA fought back and equalized just before halftime. The final two quarters were tense, with few opportunities, as the match concluded tied at 1-1.
USA started patient but with attacking intentions. The first chance came just 40 seconds in when Erin Matson (Chadds Ford, Pa.) picked off a through ball that led to the first shot on frame. Moments later great ball movement led to Matson feeding Charly Bruder (Malvern, Pa.) on the far side of the circle, but the shot was saved by Belgium goalkeeper Maureen de Smeet. In the 5th minute, the Red Panthers scored after Liz Tamburro (Phoenixville, Pa.) made the initial clear that fell right to Joanne Peeters, who finished in the far corner of the goal. The United Eagles kept threating and had two close chances, but to no avail. First, Reese D’Ariano (West Chester, Pa.) ran down the left side and used the boards to get deep into the corner, but her low angled shot was stopped by a rushing De Smeet. Then with just 40 seconds to go before the break, Matson received and did a hook spin but her shot went wide.
Trailing 0-1, USA continued to stick to their game plan of a half-court press and organized defense. The United Eagles produced more shots and circle entries than Belgium but couldn’t get one to fall in their favor. Persistence paid off in the 19th minute when D’Ariano threaded the perfect ball through to Matson who laid out for the finish. The contest went into halftime tied at 1-1.
The scoreline remained unchanged in the third period and saw limited chances. USA had a golden opportunity in the 25th minute, following a 2-minute Belgium card, when D’Ariano drove in and forced De Smeet to make a blocker save.
Belgium took control around the backcourt for majority of the final frame, killing the clock. As time ticked down USA stepped up in a now or never moment. In the 38th minute, Sofia Ferri (Phoenixville, Pa.) used speed down the right side, took a shot and earned USA the game’s first penalty corner. D’Ariano’s shot sailed over the goal, but the Eagles kept pressing and with 11 seconds to go and earned another set piece. The play from D’Ariano to Matson was well read by a Belgium defender as the match concluded in a 1-1 tie.
The Eagles will await their final placement after the other two pools wrap up play tomorrow. The top 8 teams from across the three pools will qualify for the quarterfinals, while the remaining teams will play in the 9-12 position playoffs. All matches from the event can be live streamed free on FIH.Hockey.
For more information on the 2025 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, visit the event page.
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