Australia Blanks USWNT in Second FIH Hockey Pro League Meeting

ROURKELA, India – In their second match of the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Pro League mini-tournament in Rourkela, India, the No. 12 U.S. Women’s National Team took on No. 2 Australia. Behind a strong first half, the Hockeyroos blanked USA 0-4.

Australia held the pace for majority of the opening quarter and capitalizing on their third circle penetration. In the 7th minute, a forehand shot by Amy Lawton got through traffic and Alice Arnott got a slight touch past USA goalkeeper Kelsey Bing (Houston, Texas). The United Eagles produced moments of hope but were unsuccessfully able to connect in their attacking circle.

USA had their first shot attempt at the start of the second frame, but unfortunately Charlotte de Vries (Malvern, Pa.) was called for using the back of her stick. In the 20th minute, the Hockeyroos earned the match’s first penalty corner and extended their lead. Bing made the initial save off Tatum Stewart’s drag, but USA were unable to clear the ball as Maddison Brooks sent it into the net to make it 0-2. The red, white and blue fended off back-to-back penalty corners and saw an Australia backhand ring off the top post in the closing minutes. With 25 seconds before the halftime break, the Hockeyroos capitalized after picking off a deep USA turnover and creating a 3v1 situation with Bing for Rebecca Greiner to make it 0-3.

Like all previous contests, Jenny Rizzo (Hershey, Pa.) checked in the game for USA at the start of the third quarter. After failing to generate any positive attack in the first 30 minutes, the United Eagles settled in and started to push forward. USA earned their first penalty corner in the 37th minute but Australia goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram made the save on Beth Yeager’s (Greenwich, Conn.) drag and Emma DeBerdine (Millersville, Pa.) was unable to put it in off the post. Moments later, a close chance came for USA when Yeager drove in the circle, slightly touched it wide to Cassie Sumfest (Lewisburg, Pa.) as she one-time ripped a low angle backhand on frame. In the final 2 minutes, Rizzo was tested twice before the Hockeyroos added another penalty corner goal through Claire Colwill.

Trailing 0-4 to start the fourth quarter, USA knew they had to dig deep to cut the margin. With little chances present for both sides, the United Eagles made a step in the final frame, having more poise on defense and limiting Australia’s chances and not allowing them to score again.

Following the game, Australia’s Rebecca Greiner was named Player of the Match.

The United Eagles have two days off before facing No. 8 China on Saturday, February 17 at 7:00 a.m. ET. All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League can be streamed pay-per-view on Watch.Hockey for $5.99.

For more information regarding the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Pro League, visit the event page.

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