AUCKLAND, New Zealand – November 25, 2017 – In their final match of the Sentinel Homes Hockey World League Final in Auckland, New Zealand, the U.S. Women’s National Team met No. 8 China. The last time these two teams faced off was at the 2015 Hawke’s Bay Cup where China came out the victors. Tied after the first quarter, the remaining saw a variation of goals produced from both sides as USA tallied five more to China’s three as the red, white and blue came out on top 6-4.
“Today our goal was to go out there and play as a team and do our jobs all over the field,” said Loren Shealy (Charlotte, N.C.), who scored twice in today’s match. “We did a good job of connecting with each other in the attacking half of the field but there is obviously a lot we can learn and take away from the game. Overall, we are really happy to end the tournament with a win.”
USA started on the front foot as they produced a good passing combination down the left side of the field. Kathleen Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.) fed a ball to Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.) who’s backhand shot was saved by China’s goalkeeper. Quick transfer passes through the midfield allowed USA to attack the opposite side of the circle but no results were formed. Transitioning the other way, China had a near chance when a backhand attempt didn’t connect. After working the ball from the defensive line to the midfield, China sent a long pass toward the circle which was deflected and found Bingfeng Gu who drilled it in to grab the lead. The change on the scoreboard did not diminish USA’s effort as just three minutes later they earned their first penalty corner. Off the attempt, Sharkey answered with a well hit shot to tie the match at 1-1. China responded the other way with their own penalty corner, but the chance did not translate as the quarter came to an end.
The scoring in the second quarter was a game changer. China tested USA’s defense early as a few chances were present. Working the ball forward, USA entered the circle when Casey Di Nardo (Virginia Beach, Va.) drove the left baseline, dumped it back and Shealy finished to make it USA 2, China 1 in the 21st minute. Back and forth possession battles came for a few minutes before great communication came from USA’s captain Melissa Gonzalez (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.) to force a channel as she easily intercepted possession. This lead to ball movement through the midfield that found Alyssa Parker (Woodbine, Md.) who drove the left baseline and earned a penalty corner for USA in the 28th minute. The initial sweep was deflected by Witmer and Amanda Magadan (Randolph, N.J.) finished the play to extend USA’s lead to 3-1. Just a minute later, China responded with a well-executed finish off a backhand by Xiamoing Song. It seemed as China was in celebration, USA took the opportunity to counter as Shealy received a high deflected ball and fired it into the goal to give USA a two-goal edge, 4-2, at the half.
As the excitement built, China broke out in the third frame with a high press that stemmed a lot of positive offense. Five minutes in, China took advantage of being marked on the wrong side as Song scored again to cut the lead to 4-3. As China was still on the attack and in the hunt for an equalizer, they produced nice control as they threaded balls through to the forward line. Being patient with their movement, a long ball into the circle found Shumin Wang on the post who deflected it in to draw the match. Seconds later as time ticked down USA was on the counter and Sharkey got a backhand off that hit the pads of China’s goalkeeper and out of the air Erin McCrudden (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) touched it in to make it USA 5, China 4.
China came out strong in the final quarter actively searching to break through USA’s defense. Caitlin Van Sickle (Wilmington, Del.) made key back-to-back plays in both circles. One on defense to clear the ball out of danger and immediately after on attack, she grabbed a penalty corner. In the 54th minute, Sharkey’s hard shot on goal tipped off the goalkeeper’s pads into the net to notch another goal and make it 6-4. China maintained the pressure, even pulled their goalkeeper, but USA held on for the victory.
The next competition for the U.S. Women’s National Team will January 25-30, 2018 when they face No. 1 The Netherlands on the West Coast at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif. for a four-match series. Tickets for this event are on sale and can be purchased by clicking here.
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