USWNT Takes Final Friendly Over New Zealand

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – The No. 13 U.S. Women’s National Team had one final game against No. 10 New Zealand at the at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. Although it was a friendly and unsanctioned by the FIH, USA built on their previous performances by elevating their ball control and finishing on opportunities. The United Eagles came out on top, 5-2.

“While we came into the match with a slow start, we grew into the first half and started to get our press to sync and produced a great opportunity by winning a penalty stroke. The second half was much better as we controlled possession well and made better decisions when to go forward from the back. Our circle play and finishing was sharp – allowing us to convert. In the situation when they removed their goalkeeper, we could have controlled the ball better but that is something we will work on with this new and young group.”

“The next step is to name the roster for the FIH Hockey Nations Cup and that selection is going to be very tough after the performances here in New Zealand.”

After a scoreless first quarter, USA got on the board with just 5 minutes to go before the halftime break. After successfully utilizing the press, Lucy Adams (Andover, Mass.) broke through and as she was in the circle, she was brought down by the goalkeeper issued the United Eagles a penalty stroke. Kelee Lepage (Honey Brook, Pa.) effectively converted to give USA a 1-0 lead.

The scorelines changed four times in the third quarter, first with the red, white and blue making it 2-0. That goal came in the 38th minute after Cassie Sumfest (Lewisburg, Pa.) finished a great rebound off the goalkeeper following a fast break. Four minutes later sparked a goal in each of the next three minutes. First USA extended their lead to 3-0 when Beth Yeager (Greenwich, Conn.) tallied a drag flick off a penalty corner. Next, New Zealand got one back through Kaitlin Cotter on a set piece. Lastly, Meredith Sholder (Fleetwood, Pa.) broke off the press and centered a pass to Daniela Mendez-Trendler (Reistertown, Md.) who made the period’s score 4-1.

The fourth frame saw each side notch a goal to bring the final score to 5-2 in favor of USA. The Eagles’ came in the 49th minute on a penalty corner that was initially taken by Caroline Ramsey (Morristown, N.J.) but her drag was saved. The rebound fell to Sumfest who crossed it to Hope Rose (Dauphin, Pa.) who one-timed it out of midair. The Black Sticks pulled their goalkeeper with 5 minutes to go and were able to successfully capitalize on the play when Cotter tallied her second of the game off a penalty corner.

USA has the FIH Hockey Nations Cup coming up from February 24 to March 2 in Santiago, Chile. The third edition of this event gives the winning team the option to be promoted to the FIH Hockey Pro League the next season.  

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