AUCKLAND, New Zealand – November 23, 2017 – On the second day of quarterfinal play of the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final in Auckland, New Zealand, the U.S. Women’s National Team and No. 2 England competed in the opening match. The previous day’s result saw two upsets, meaning going into this match anything was possible. Goals were produced for England in the first and third quarters, and USA added one back in the fourth but the late push would fall short as England defeated the red, white and blue 2-1.
"I thought England came out strong," said Melissa Gonzalez (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.), USWNT Captain. "They played an entire game connected as a team, they were really tough on the ball and threatening. For us, we have to make sure we show up for an entire game."
The opening minutes of the first quarter saw a lot of possession held between the 25-yard lines as both teams looked to find momentum forward. England earned a penalty corner in the 5th minute but no result would show. Just two minutes following, Alex Danson spun on the baseline, sent it across the goal and Sophie Bray was there to tap it in to give England a 1-0 lead. England continued to apply a high press on USA’s defense, causing difficulty on the outlet. In the final two minutes of the quarter, USA showed promise as Ali Froede (Burke, Va.) threaded a ball forward to Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.) but possession in the final yards of the field was lacking.
USA picked up the momentum to start the second but turnovers quickly sent control the other way. England remained composed as they transferred the ball across field working it around USA’s structure. Caitlin Van Sickle (Wilmington, Del.) marked well as she collected a dangerous ball sent deep in the circle and cleared it out of danger. Similar to the first half, USA found forward movement in the final minutes of the quarter as Michelle Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) sent a hard ball that Erin Matson (Chadds Ford, Pa.) gathered and ripped for USA’s first shot of the game. The halftime score remained in favor of England 1-0.
One minute into the third, USA earned a penalty corner but although the chance did not convert they held possession in the attacking end. Another opportunity came as Gonzalez weaved into England’s defense and earned another penalty corner but the sweep went wide. Back the other way, USA struggled to take care of the ball deep on the field giving England an opening. In the 41st minute, a drive that started in the right corner of the field finished with Bray touching it in as she tallied her second goal of the match.
As the fourth quarter started, USA was keen to find offensive possession and connect within the final yards. England generated some attack earning a penalty corner, and later almost capitalized on a deep turnover off an outlet turnover by USA. With seven minutes remaining, USA found energy and positive possession, and earned a penalty corner. Gonzalez buried the ball into the left corner of the goal to add one back and make it 2-1. As USA searched for the equalizer, England tried to be savvy on the ball but was called for delay of game. Pressure continued forward but USA ran out of time as they fell to England.
"One of the great things about our team is that we are always in it until the last whistle," commented Gonzalez, on USA's final minute fight. "We have to do a better job of not putting ourselves in those situations."
In the consultation round, the U.S. Women’s National Team will face China on Saturday, November 25 at 12:00 a.m. ET (6:00 p.m. local). 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