DUSSELDORF, Germany - April 21, 2019 - In their final game of their tour, the U.S. U-19 Women's National Team labeled it as their “Championship Game”. All the valuable lessons of top international field hockey that they learned had to be applied in this game against Germany's U-18 team. After a 60-minute hard, fought battle USA can look back on a successful campaign, winning the final game 4-3.
In the first quarter, the game did not look to go in USA's favor. Germany applied high pressure on the outlets and the team could not get the ball out of their own half. Die Danas were able to get into the circle a few times and got two penalty corners, which led to no goals.
After being reminded that they were playing for their “Championship”, USA came out strong in the second quarter. Two minutes into the quarter Peyton Wirth (Thompsontown, Pa.) found herself in space on the right side of the field. Wirth accelerated and eliminated her opponent after which she crossed the ball into the circle toward the wide open Kathryn Schneider (San Diego, Calif.). Schnieder finished the opportunity in true forward fashion with a high and dry one time shot on goal to give USA a 1-0 lead. This first goal seemed to give the team more confidence and only a minute later Hannah Miller (Malvern, Pa.) fired a shot on Germany goal that was saved by the goalkeeper. Another combination between Wirth and Schneider led to a dangerous tip, while Charlotte De Vries (Wayne, Pa.) fired a ball to the far post where M. Grace Wallis (Blue Bell, Pa.) was close to a tip. After a goal and various chances, USA went into halftime holding the lead, 1-0.
The message at halftime was simple: "stick to the game plan and keep the high intensity up". In the beginning of the third quarter, Germany answered this intensity with their own pressure. This awarded them a penalty corner in the 34th minute. USA goalkeeper Gabrielle Barraco (Allentown, Pa.) was able to save the initial shot, but on the rebound Die Danas scored to make it 1-1. After this disappointing start of the second half, Kathryn Peterson (San Diego, Calif.) took the time by the hand. In the 36th minute, Peterson intercepted a ball in the middle of the field, threatened to pass right and pulled left. Once she entered the circle she hit a low and hard reverse shot in the corner to put USA back on top, 2-1. This renewed confidence gave the team a boost and USA kept the pressure on resulting in a penalty corner after skill by Miller in the Germany circle. Peterson delivered the ball with a deceptive sweep to Schneider who tipped the ball behind the German goalkeeper to extend USA's lead to 3-1. Germany really stepped up their game after this goal and applied pressure on every pass and reception, this resulted in multiple penalty corner opportunities. Meghan Reese (Center Valley, Pa.) blocked several as a flyer.
The start of the fourth quarter was balanced with no chances on either side until the 49th minute when Megan Connors (San Diego, Calif.) made her way forward and found herself with space to shoot on goal. Her shot hit a German foot and resulted in the second penalty corner for USA. On the chance, Madison Orobono's (Macungie, Pa.) hard sweep went just wide of the post. After that opportunity Germany took possession the other way and stormed USA's goal. A total of three penalty corners were saved by the defensive corner unit led by Barraco. In the 54th minute, De Vries snagged the ball from one of Germany's attackers and started a fast break. Josie Varney (Smithfield, Maine) used her speed to join the counter and found herself in space in the circle. With a precise push pass she placed the ball outside of the Germany goalkeeper's reach to make it 4-1. Victory was close for the team but the last 5 minutes of the game Die Danas' pressure became almost too much for USA. Germany was able to convert on two outlet errors by USA and within 2 minutes decreased the deficit to 4-3. A strong tackle in the last minute of the game by Orobono secured the win.
The team has made progression from day to day, from quarter to quarter. Today, the intensity and game plan were rewarded by converting in the attacking circle.
"I’m very pleased with the development of the team during the tour, " said Ole Keusgen, U-19 USWNT Head Coach. "Every player has shown growth in both technical and tactical aspects of international hockey. The team was able to lift their performance against the competition today. Being able to execute and finish our opportunities in the circle was the last piece of the puzzle that we completed today. I’m proud of the girls performance, finishing a week of hard work with a W against Germany is a great reward”.
Up next for the U.S. U-19 Women's National Team is a training camp at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, Pa. from May 10 to 12. For more information, visit the U.S. U-19 Women's National Team event page by clicking here.
