HOCKEY
Pro League: USA with shootout victory over Australia Sport-rated
Heading into today’s game at the Tasmania Hockey Center in Hobart, Australia, the No. 16 US Women’s National Team knew they would be up for a challenge when they faced host No. 3 rink hockey in the FIH Professional Hockey League. After chances for both sides went unmarked during regulation time, the match went into a penalty shootout to decide the winner. United Eagles won the extra point after finishing 3-1 after five rounds and again behind a great penalty performance by the US goaltender. kelsey bing (Houston Texas).
“While we’re delighted with the result and a dominant second half, we can’t forget how we started and need to bring the same forward foot and aggressive mentality into tomorrow’s game,” USWNT Head Coach David Passmore said. “We had a positive and aggressive game plan today and played it well in the second half, but our 1v1 defense will have to be better tomorrow against talented Argentina.”
Australia wasted no time gaining possession on their attacking side and earning a penalty corner in just 28 seconds. To the relief of the US defensive unit and goalie Bing, the drag went over the crossbar. The game was static for a while, before the Hockeyroos picked up the pace and threatened to advance. The final 5 minutes saw multiple well defended drives into the circle by United Eagles, a backhand shot saved by Hannah Cullum-Sanders and Australia’s penalty corner disallowed to keep the game scoreless.
Almost identical to the previous frame, Australia earned a penalty corner 24 seconds into second. Alexandra Hammel (Duxbury, Mass.) came up with a great defensive save from the post to deflect heavy resistance. Two minutes later, the Hockeyroos earned another set piece, but this time Bing made the save. A good sequence of passes from the US led to their first shot of the game. ashley sessa (Schwenksville, Pa.) She used a small takeout to set up for a vertical backhand, but her attempt was saved by Aussie keeper Aleisha Power’s glove. Possession was spread between the 25-yard lines before the United Eagles registered their second shot in the 26th minute. Josie Hollamon (Delmar, Del.) contacted sanne caarls (Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands) who tore through a backhand that was saved by Power. The USA once again threatened through Sessa, but the deadlock held heading into the break.
The third quarter began with the US on the front foot, having more control than the previous half. This went on for a spell but the United Eagles were unable to find a result. Australia had a close chance after the USA fumbled deep and led to a shot, but Bing saved. The score line remained unchanged heading into the final draw.
Australia jumped in the fourth quarter producing a shot and a ring fight, where both were saved and stopped by Bing. at minute 51 Brooke DeBerdine (Millersville, Pa.) received a green card, but that didn’t stop the US from earning their first penalty corner a minute later. Unable to catch him cleanly at the top, United Eagles saw themselves in an athlete’s lead after a green card from Australia, but were unable to make the most of the opportunity. In the final 2 minutes, the Hockeyroos had a close chance after Cullum-Sanders fumbled a deep USA ball, but before he could pull the trigger, Hammel came in and took it away and Bing saved a penalty corner for force the game to an end. shooting
In the shootout, Australia’s Cullum-Sanders scored on their first try as the USA missed, but the United Eagles responded through the middle. leah crouse (Virginia Beach, Virginia), Sessa and Charlotte de Vries (Malvern, Pennsylvania). Bing also came up with two saves to seal the shootout win and the bonus point.
After the game, USA goalkeeper Kelsey Bing was named Player of the Match for her multiple key saves during the game and her strong performance on penalty kicks. Today’s contest also marked a career milestone for Bing, who played her 50th cap for Team USA.
The United States wants to face No. 2 Argentina tomorrow, March 2 at 1:10 pm ET in their second game of the FIH Hockey Pro League mini-tournament in Hobart, Australia.
