BILTHOVEN, The Netherlands - April 20, 2019 - On another gorgeous evening at the Stichtsche Cricket en Hockeyclub in Bilthoven, The Netherlands, the U.S. Women's National Development Squad took to the field to play Stichtsche HC in their final fixture of the tour. The Dutch powerhouse club boasted a number of senior Dutch internationals along with three-time world goalkeeper of the year Maddie Hinch from Great Britain. USA competed well throughout the match but unfortunately lost 1-5.

The game started at a fast pace with both teams working hard to restricted the opposition to limited time on the ball. The energy levels, which have been a characteristic of every performance in The Netherlands, remained for USA with Taylor Stone (Herndon, Va.), Katie Walsh (Louisville, Ky.) and Kelsey Briddell (Wilton, N.Y.) in particular setting the tone.

Stichtsche was first to get on the scoreboard in the 7th minute and gave a glimpse of the quality they possessed with a devastatingly simple and well-executed passing move. USA scrambled to try get hold of the ball but eventually it was worked around USA goalkeeper Kealsie Robles (Yorktown, Va.).

The remainder of the half was well contested and the score stayed at 0-1 to the home team.

Play resumed and in the third quarter was pivotal in the outcome of the game. Two unanswered goals put Stichtsche into a commanding position in front of a buoyant home crowd. First another well worked passing move moved Stichtsche into the USA circle in the 34th minute but after saving an initial shot Robles was unable to keep out the rebound. Next a powerful penalty corner drag in the 39th minute found the sideboard.

Moving into the final quarter, USA maintained their effort levels in an attempt to gain a positive result that left themselves exposed on the counter attack for yet another clinical goal from the home team to make it 0-4. USA eventually got themselves on the board after a strong run from Alyssa Parker (Woodbine, Md.) toward the baseline who then connected with Madison Maguire (Rumson, N.J.) to finish neatly.

Stichtsche had the last say with yet another powerful penalty corner conversion to put the score to 1-5, which is where it remained.

"The result today was disappointing but the girls cannot be faulted for their effort levels," reflected Marc Hardy, U.S. Women's National Development Squad Head Coach, following the game. "We have had a hugely successful and enjoyable 7 days in Holland and to come away with two wins against Scotland and a shootout victory over the Belgium U-21's shows that this squad is moving in the right direction.”

“To take the field and compete against players of that quality with so much European and international experience was fantastic," added Stone, U.S. Women's National Development Squad Captain. "This squad wants to test itself to continue to improve and we certainly did that today.”

The U.S. Women's National Development Squad will have a few weeks off before having a training camp May 10 to 12 at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa.

For more information, visit the U.S. Women’s National Development Squad Tour event page by clicking here.