AUCKLAND, New Zealand – November 18, 2017 – Going into this evening’s contest, the U.S. Women’s National Team knew they had to be ready for a tough match-up against FIH Hero World Ranked No. 1 The Netherlands. A rain saturated pitch at the North Harbour Hockey Stadium saw glimmers of hope for a tactical and organized Team USA but two field goals by a fast-paced, fluent Holland team lifted them over the red, white and blue 2-0.
“We knew it was going to be a battle tonight against a great Dutch team, and we were up for the challenge,” said Jackie Briggs (Robesonia, Pa.), USWNT’s Goalkeeper. “We wanted to work really hard and contest every pass and reception. We worked hard, but more importantly we worked hard together as a team.”
In both team’s second match of the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final, USA started quick instantly taking the ball forward off the starting whistle. The swift attack earned USA a penalty corner in the 2nd minute but the attempt by Kathleen Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.) was tipped wide by a Holland defender. The middle minutes of the quarter saw both teams swing the ball with poise as they looked to threaten forward, but neither were able to string consecutive passes together. A close chance came in the final minute of the quarter for The Netherlands when they broke through USA’s defense and shot wide, but as the striker was shooting, she was fouled from behind on the play awarding them a penalty corner. Unable to convert, the quarter finished 0-0.
The Netherlands didn’t waste time at the start of the second to continue the forward momentum. Just two minutes in, skillful baseline stick work followed by a goalmouth scramble that USA was unable to clear saw Maartje Krekelaar finish to give Holland a 1-0 lead. A scare came for USA a few moments later when a defensive turnover lead to a Holland striker 1v1 against goalkeeper Briggs. Recovering hard, USA defenders helped channel and contest the play to constrain the scoring opportunity. At the other end of the field, Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.) took it with speed, passed the ball back and it landed with Michelle Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) who worked it inside the circle and ripped a hard shot that went just wide. The halftime stood at USA 0, The Netherland 1.
The start of the third quarter saw Holland hold the offensive pressure testing a solid USA defense in the circle. A good passing sequence for USA saw M. Vittese send a hard ball into the circle that was picked up by Witmer who earned USA a penalty corner. The attempt was unsuccessful and The Netherlands quickly took the ball and transitioned down field. In the 37th minute, Krekelaar tallied another goal to her name to extend Holland’s lead to 2-0. USA’s tenacious play was relentless as they continued to try and work it forward but Holland kept pressure tight in the pocketes. The quarter finished with a Holland penalty corner, but two saves by Briggs and a wide shot later the score line remained.
Much of how the third quarter finished, possession was ongoing in favor of The Netherlands as they worked it from sideline to sideline. As USA struggled to clear it out of the backfield, Holland was always quick to counter and threaten forward. Another near goal came with 8 minutes remaining but USA successfully used their video referral for a Holland foot prior to the shot. Briggs absorbed a few more shots off The Netherland’s remaining penalty corner chances as the final score stood at USA 0, The Netherlands 2.
“I think we definitely took a step forward tonight in terms of contesting every ball, but can still need to build on ball possession going forward,” continued Briggs following the outcome.
The U.S. Women’s National Team will have tomorrow off before returning to competition on Monday, November 20 against No. 5 New Zealand at 2:00 a.m. ET. For more information on the event including schedule, results and live stream, visit the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final event page by clicking here. #HWL2017