SPRING CITY, Pa. – October 4, 2017 - The U.S. Women's National Indoor Team had to fight to earn the victory against Australia's Women's National Indoor Development Team in the fourth match of the six-game test series played at The Training Center in Spring City, Pa. USA broke a deadlocked score just before halftime and as the scoring went back and forth in the second half, a determined Indoor USWNT found a two goal lead and the 5-3 win.

Australia pressed USA's defense from the opening whistle and Samantha Carlino (Kennett Square, Pa.) in goal for USA prevented them from taking an early lead with a couple of sharp saves. The Indoor USWNT did not get their first real attack until the 6th minute. With Australia pushing everything into the attack, a long ball found Samantha Popper (Blue Bell, Pa.) on the left of the circle, where she made no mistake with a one time shot to give USA the 1-0 lead.

USA started to create more opportunities and Popper extended the lead by two after dribbling past three defenders, finding the top of the circle and squeezing the ball just inside the post. It seemed that USA was getting the upper hand but they were caught too square when a long through ball found Caitlin Burns cutting into the circle as she skillfully deflected the ball high into the net making it 2-1. Two minutes later, Amelia Leard took a quick free hit just outside the circle and caught USA flat footed with a quick shot past the stranded Carlino to tie the game at 2-2. As time ran out, the Indoor USWNT was awarded a penalty corner and Katherine Gerzabek's (Springfield, Pa.) fierce shot found the goal to give USA the 3-2 lead going into halftime.

At the start of the second half, Popper was fouled from behind inside the circle as she received a pass earning USA a penalty stroke. Campbell (Boyertown, Pa.) converted to make it 4-2. Now in full swing from end to end, both teams created scoring opportunities. Australia was awarded a penalty corner deep on the end line which they brought the score to 4-3 through Leard with a cleverly worked option. The pace did not slow and with the feeling that the next goal would be decisive, USA put together a five player passing move which Paityn Wirth (Thompsontown, Pa.) finished at the far post to give USA another two goal lead. Australians continued to fight and press hard, and with USA making some unforced errors in defense, they came close on a few occasions in the final minute. The Indoor USWNT was relieved to see the score stand at 5-3 when the final buzzer sounded to come away with the win.

“This is the kind of game we need to prepare for what is going to be a very difficult Pan American Indoor Cup,” remarked Jun Kentwell, Indoor USWNT Head Coach. “The Australian [Indoor Development] Team put us under of lot of pressure tonight. They are skillful, fast and strong, and they exposed some areas we need to work on. The Australian Squad is playing better every day and the next two games, Saturday evening at 6:00 and Sunday morning at 8:30, will be real tests for our players."

The U.S. Women's National Indoor Team would like to thank Harrow Sports for supplying raffle prizes for the stands full of young spectators. Head to The Training Center on Saturday, at 6:00 p.m. ET to support the Indoor USWNT in what promises to be a fast and exciting game.

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