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VIENNA, Austria – In their first of two games on the second day of the 2025 Rohrmax Cup, the No. 9 U.S. Women’s National Indoor Team took on No. 26 Croatia. After USA had a three goal lead heading into the final quarter, Croatia fought back, but the Eagles secured the 4-2 victory.
Static at the start, USA earned the match’s first penalty corner in the 3rd minute. Off the chance, Reese D’Ariano’s (West Chester, Pa.) drag attempt hit a defender and the Eagles were initially awarded a penalty stroke, but the official reversed the call. Play continued on as both sides tried to break through solid defensive structures, and the first quarter concluded scoreless.
Just inside the second frame, D’Ariano used her speed to earn USA another set piece. Down the other way, goalkeeper Sierra Espeland (Midlothian, Va.) had her first action of the game when Croatia sent a through ball that forced her to come out of the goal to contest. Immediately following and off the restart, the Eagles opened the scoring in the 13th minute when quick passing got to Erin Matson (Chadds Ford, Pa.) at the top of the circle who finished. Shortly after, Croatia earned a penalty corner in which Espeland rushed out and blocked. The final minutes saw no change to the scoreline, even though Croatia had two more set pieces, as USA went into the halftime break holding a 1-0 lead.
USA quickly added to their lead just 18 seconds into the third quarter. Patience in the back lead to Matson receiving it in the left corner and passing it to the top of the circle where Charly Bruder (Malvern, Pa.) was there to score. Croatia almost scored in the 23rd minute when a ball got through Espeland, who dove and saved it off the goal line, when a penalty stroke was issued and the attempt missed. A minute later, Reese D’Ariano (West Chester, Pa.) extended USA’s lead by converting off a set piece to make it 3-0. The red, white and blue’s defensive unit was tested in the final minutes but didn’t allow Croatia on the board.
Action was back-and-forth for majority of the final frame before Croatia tallied off a penalty corner in the 37th minute. USA responded seconds later when D’Ariano added her second of the game after weaving through the defense and putting it past the goalkeeper. Croatia made the final 4-2 after scoring with just a minute to go.
The Eagles are back in action today against No. 8 Belgium at 11:20 a.m. ET.
The event will be live streamed on SV Arminen TV (YouTube).
For more information on the 2025 Rohrmax Cup, visit the event page.
