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POREČ, Croatia – In the 2025 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup Quarterfinals, the No. 9 U.S. Women’s National Indoor Team met a familiar opponent in No. 2 Czechia. USA found themselves trailing after the first quarter but put up a valiant fight, eventually falling 2-4. The United Eagles now shift to the 5th-8th place games.
Although USA started quick with the first shot, it was Czechia who opened the scoring in the 2nd minute. After a re-awarded penalty corner, Lucie Duchková tucked it into the left corner. Two minutes later, Czechia had a close chance to extend their lead when the shot hit the post and forced goalkeeper Liz Tamburro (Phoenixville, Pa.) to clear it off the line. Moments later, USA had an opportunity to answer when Sofia Ferri (Phoenixville, Pa.) earned a penalty stroke, but Erin Matson's (Chadds Ford, Pa.) attempt was blocked. Czechia doubled their lead in the 7th minute after picking off a back pass and scoring nearside.
Trailing 0-2, USA came into the second frame with renewed determination. After having a drive contested, Reese D’Ariano (West Chester, Pa.) pushed forward and was fouled hard outside the circle to earn USA’s first set piece. On the chance, she calmly converted into the net to bring the score within one. Both sides had chances in the closing minutes, with each team’s goalkeeper making critical stops. With just 15 seconds remaining, D’Ariano had a solo run that was well defended by Czechia, and USA trailed 1-2 at halftime.
The third quarter started static until midway through when USA earned a penalty corner. In this critical moment, USA was unable to tally, allowing Czechia to pick up their tempo and extend their lead by two goals. The first came in the 28th minute off a set piece -- a double slip that resulted in the shot hitting a USA defender’s body, giving them a penalty stroke that Kateřina Laciná scored. Next, with seconds left on the clock, Nikol Babická tallied off a fast break to make it 1-4.
With 5 minute to go in the contest, USA pulled Tamburro for an extra athlete on the court. With that, the United Eagles upped their offensive presence, generating more shots, circle entries and penalty corners then their counterparts, but saw many of these opportunities go missed. With 47 seconds to go, D’Ariano cut the goal margin by scoring off a penalty corner, but USA ran out of time as they fell 2-4.
With the loss, the Eagles shift into the 5th-8th round tomorrow, February 8. 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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