SYDNEY, Australia – March 2, 2019 – The Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre saw an exciting match between the No. 12 U.S. Women’s National Team and No. 4 Australia. USA was leading 1-0 going into the final quarter, but it was the experienced Hockeyroos who came from behind to score twice and claim their fourth FIH Pro League win.
The opening five minutes saw Australia have the upper hand in terms of possession and shots. The Hockeyroos’ first chance came in the fourth minute when Grace Stewart’s attempt was saved by USA goalkeeper Jessica Jecko (Sauquoit, N.Y.). Within that same minute, Australia earned a penalty corner and again Jecko was there to make the stop. Continuing to be put under pressure, USA made the most of their first run forward. In the 7th minute, Danielle Grega (Kingston, Pa.) collected it on the right side, weaved into the circle and put it on goal as it went past Australia goalkeeper Ashlee Wells. A determined Australia side continued to threaten as shots came from Brooke Peris and Savannah Fitzpatrick but USA’s defensive unit held strong to hold a 1-0 lead.
Play continued to be in favor of Australia at the start of the second frame as they earned a penalty corner within the first minute but a collective effort from Jecko and USA’s defense kept the Hockeyroos off the score board. Back and forth play was present for a few minutes, as USA saw a few opportunities up field. A long ball down the right side in the 25th minute was controlled by Kathleen Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.) who earned USA their first penalty corner. Off the attempt, Ali Froede’s (Burke, Va.) sweep was stopped and cleared by the Australia post player. The Hockeyroos finished the quarter with two consecutive penalty corner opportunities but USA’s defense jointly remained tough.
A bit of a turn to start the third quarter as it was USA who earned a penalty corner in the first minute after Sharkey was taken to the turf outside the circle. Another sweep attempt by Froede was stopped on the pads by new Australia goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram. At the other end, the Hockeyroos were on the hunt for the equalizer but they continued to be met by a USA side that worked hard to get numbers back and in lanes. A very close chance came for Australia in the 37th minute, off a second attempt penalty corner, when Jecko made a brilliant stick save to keep USA ahead. The final minutes of the quarter saw Australia earn another penalty corner chance but not before USA had a last second surge but to no avail.
Heading into the final frame with a 1-0 led, USA knew they had to continue their strong defensive performance to outlast the higher ranked host nation. That game plan was quickly deflated as similar to the second quarter start, Australia worked the ball forward and earned a quick penalty corner. After the initial attempt hit a USA foot, the re-award saw Jodie Kenny covert on a drag to tie the match at 1-1. There was some back and forth play for a period as the game opened up to be anyone’s for the taking. In the 51st minute a USA turnover in the middle of the field led to an offensive spark for Australia. After a free hit, the Hockeyroos worked it into the circle and Mariah Williams collected, turned and sent a hard ball into the goal to put Australia up 2-1. USA didn’t let up and produced a few late runs that saw a shot from Lauren Moyer (York, Pa.) get blocked by Edwina Bone and a close chance for Laura Hurff (Newark, Del.) finish with no result. The 2-1 victory for Australia earned them their fourth FIH Pro League win.
#FIHProLeague #AUSvUSA
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) March 2, 2019
🎥 reaction of @ksharkeyy on today's match v @Hockeyroos and how it has been playing in the #FIHProLeague @USAFieldHockey pic.twitter.com/Yqth7jFTt2
Following the game, USA’s Jess Jecko earned Player of the Match for her excellent performance in goal.
The U.S. Women’s National Team will fly over to Auckland, New Zealand for their fourth FIH Pro League game against the FIH World Ranked No. 6 team on Friday, March 8. #FIHProLeague
