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SANTIAGO, Chile – In their opening game of the 2025 FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Santiago, Chile, the No. 13 U.S. Women’s National Team took on No. 17 Canada. Behind a solid defensive performance and a well-controlled attacking display, USA shutout the Wolf Pack, 2-0.
"It was great to make a good start to the tournament especially with so many making their first international start," said David Passmore, USWNT Head Coach, following the game. "We played with some good control and picked our moments to attack. Scoring two penalty corners was also a highlight although we probably left some good chances out there. We will look to tidy up our finishing over the next few matches."
The beginning of the first quarter had a lot of static possession as both sides settled into the contest. The first chance on frame came in the 10th minute when Amanda Golini (Randolph, N.J.) chased down a ball on the left side and passed it ahead to Reese D’Ariano (West Chester, Pa.) who in her debut ripped a backhand that was stopped by goalkeeper Rowan Harris. With just 1 minute to go before the close of the period, the United Eagles earned a penalty corner when Phia Gladieux (Oley, Pa.) had an individual run down the right side and crossed it, but Harris dove out and it hit a Canada foot. Successful on the set piece, Caroline Ramsey (Morristown, N.J.) had a textbook drag down to inserter Emma DeBerdine (Millersville, Pa.) to put USA on top, 1-0.
Three minutes inside the second period, Canada earned a set piece of their own, but goalkeeper Kealsie Reeb (Seaford, Va.) stood tall and used her blocker to bat away the high drag. In the 20th minute Sanne Caarls (Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands) earned USA a penalty corner following a strong run, but to no avail. The Eagles remained on the front foot and with 2 minutes to go before the half doubled their lead off a set piece. The goal came when Cassie Sumfest (Lewisburg, Pa.) sent it back to inserter DeBerdine who crossed it, and Meredith Sholder (Fleetwood, Pa.) laid out to tap it in.
Out of the break the pace dropped a bit before action picked back up 5 minutes into the third. First, Canada produced a backhand that was kicked away by Reeb. Immediately down the other way, D’Ariano earned a penalty corner and on the chance, USA registered two shots. Following back-to-back attempts for the Wolf Pack, USA earned another set piece that was sent wide. The scoreline remained 2-0 in favor of USA as the quarter close.
Canada opened the final frame with a succession of shots before earning their second set piece. On the chance, Maddie Zimmer (Hershey, Pa.) read the option and defended it well. The Eagles produced a handful of entries and a few close looks, even had a shot from Lucy Adams (Andover, Mass.) ring off the post, but couldn’t add to their lead. USA held on to shutout Canada, 2-0.
At the conclusion of the game, Meredith Sholder was named Player of the Match.
Today’s contest marked three career milestones as Emma DeBerdine and Kelee Lepage (Honey Brook, Pa.) both played in their 50th international cap, while Reese D’Ariano registered her first.
The Eagles are back in action on Tuesday, February 25 when they take on No. 11 Japan at 7:00 p.m. ET. All matches from the event can be live streamed free on FIH.Hockey.
For more information on the 2025 FIH Hockey Nations Cup, visit the event page.
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