CHULA VISTA, Calif. – February 11, 2016 – At the completion of today’s contest, the U.S. Women’s National Team secured their third consecutive win over Canada with a score of USA 2, Canada 0. The Chula Vista Olympic Training Center’s venue is hosting the four-game event between the two international squads.
"The series allows us to work on different combinations, on slightly different systems and areas of focus," said Craig Parnham, USWNT Head Coach. "This is all to prepare us for summer tournaments with adjustments and fine tuning. As we move forward, it becomes less of a conscious thing and more of a subconscious thing and that's what we're looking for."
The first quarter began with a strong USA attack presence despite a scoreless 15 minutes for both teams. Team USA charged into the attack circle and looked to generate shooting opportunities starting with Michelle Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) who received a pass near the post, ready to strike but Canada's backfield carried the ball out of danger. Katelyn Falgowski (Landenberg, Pa.) with patience in USA's offensive end, planted a perfect tackle to regain ball possession from a Canada midfielder and kept play in the attack end. In the 6th minute Katie Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.) earned the red, white and blue their first penalty corner. Lauren Crandall's (Doylestown, Pa.) direct shot from the top of the circle drilled past the left post. In the 8th minute off of a corner, Rachel Dawson's (Berlin, N.J.) sweep found a Canadian foot to earn USA back-to-back penalty corners, but USA was unable to convert.
Canada attempted to switch the flow of play with a breakaway down the right side of the pitch, however Melissa Gonzalez (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.) cranked up the speed to eliminate the dangerous run in the opening minutes of the second quarter. With ball control in the red, white and blue’s offensive domain, Dawson spotted Kat Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.) who launched a backhanded shot on target. Falgowski fired a rebounded hit displaying USA’s consistent attacking intent but Canada’s goalie denied the efforts. In the 26th minute, Canada earned their first corner of the match with the scoreboard in a deadlock of USA 0, Canada 0, but a diving save from USA goalkeeper Jackie Briggs (Robesonia, Pa.) kept Canada scoreless. Team USA was rewarded with a penalty corner in the closing minutes of the first half but was unable to translate the chance into a goal leaving the score USA 0, Canada 0.
"Today was a nice example of how we're working on a couple of areas," said Parnham. "And there was a really good intent to carry out new structures, patterns and plays. And I take from that, and I think the team takes from that, we're in a really nice learning phase at this moment. And you have consistency and inconsistency at times and we're fighting that battle to try to remain consistent."
Off of a penalty corner in the 33rd minute, Dawson sent a swift drag flick to the net. Canada was able to outlet the ball away from the goalmouth. Again in the 36th minute, Team USA quickly tallied another a penalty corner. Despite a broken stick stop, Dawson was able to rip a ball on goal from the top, right of the circle. The drive didn’t earn a result. In the 43rd minute the red, white and blue’s tireless attack paid off when K. Reinprecht slammed a clean shot through Canada defenders to find the backboard changing the score to USA 1, Canada 0.
In the fourth and final quarter, Caitlin Van Sickle (Wilmingon, Del.) with a small lift, dodged a Canadian midfielder, dished the ball to Sharkey at baseline who sent it back to Van Sickle for a shot to keep an attack mentality. It wasn’t until the 52nd minute mark that Vittese at the top, left of the circle hit a precision pass to K. Reinprecht at the right post to redirect the shot, secure her second goal and solidify a final score of USA 2, Canada 0
The series continues Friday with Team USA hitting the pitch in their fourth and final match against Canada at 12:30 p.m. PST. Follow live match updates by following @USAFieldHockey on Twitter.