Sammy Popper (Blue Bell, Pa.) found a seam through the middle to Katie Gerzabek (Springfield, Pa.), who surprised Uruguay's goalkeeper with a quick shot in the second minute to give No. 28 USA the early 1-0 lead. Uruguay immediately countered taking the game to USA and moving the ball with speed and accuracy around the court. As a result the USA defense stretched thin with Uruguay going in close with three reverse stick shots, but could not capitalize on any of the shots, including one that deflected off the crossbar.

 

As the second half started in the same vain, Uruguay forced an early penalty corner. The resulting low shot eluded two USA defenders to tie the game at 1-1. Little by little, USA recovered back into the game. Gerzabek rounded the goalkeeper only to see her shot saved on the line, and from a good passing move, USA was awarded their first corner of the game. Ali Campbell (Boyertown, Pa.) found a lane through the legs of the runner out. On the ensuing penalty corner she made no mistake with a powerful shot into the top corner to regain the lead. Two minutes later, Popper intercepted a pass, cut across the court past two defenders and put a hard shot through the onrushing goal to put the USA up 3-1. Less than a minute later Mary Beth Barham (Fairfax, Va.) found herself free on the right, but her shot sailed past the far post. Annie McDonough (Kenneth Square, Pa.) saw her own follow up shot saved by a defensive stick on the line.

 

With both Campbell and Barham receiving green cards in the last five minutes, USA's players held their nerve and saw out the player advantage. Uruguay was awarded a penalty corner in the dying moments of the game which USA successfully defended as time ran out to secure the 3-1 win.

The Indoor USWNT go right back to work Wednesday, October 18 at 4:30 p.m. ET against Argentina. For more information about the 2017 women’s Indoor Pan American Cup, including event schedule, results and live stream, visit the IPAC Event Page. #IPAC2017