USWNT Shuts Out Paraguay at FIH Hockey5s World Cup

MUSCAT, Oman – The U.S. Women’s National Team took on Pan American opponent Paraguay in a 9th through 16th placement game of the FIHHockey5s World Cup in Muscat, Oman. After struggling to convert, USA took the lead just before the half and tallied two more on their way to a 3-0 shutout win.

“We are happy we got the win, and we are happy we made some progress,” commented Linnea Gonzales (Bel Air, Md.), USWNT Hockey5s captain, following the game. “We are working on togetherness – that’s off and on the field. There were definitely spurts of that today where we were working to combine and pass, instead of playing an individual game. We are happy with that progress.”

USA held the advantage in shots in the first half but couldn’t find a way to break through Paraguay goalkeeper Yasmina Samudio. Midway through, USA earned a challenge that Charlotte de Vries (Malvern, Pa.) stepped up to take. On her attempt she drove right and was forced into the endline boards. The red, white and blue continued to threaten and in the 11th minute it looked like they scored but it was called back. Within that same minute, Paraguay’s Paula Pistilli was issued a green card giving the USA an athlete up advantage for a minute. Although USA was unable to capitalize on the set play, with 40 seconds to go, De Vries tallied on a turning shot for the 1-0 lead.

Building from the late push before the break, USA added to their lead in the 17th minute when Lora Clarke (Shaker Heights, Mich.) put her name to the scoresheet. Goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko (Odenton, Md.) was tested a few times, but she kept Paraguay off the board. With 5 minutes to go, a close chance came when Caroline Ramsey (Morristown, N.J.) fired a shot to the far post that just went under Gonzales’ stick. A minute later, Klebasko made a critical stop that led to instant attack and a give-and-go attempt between Gonzales and De Vries. With 40 seconds to go, Gonzales ripped it toward goal and De Vries touched it in to seal the 3-0 victory.

With the win, USA advances to the 9th through 12th place bracket where they will face Australia tomorrow, Friday, January 26, at 7:10 a.m. ET.

For more information regarding the FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman, visit the eventpage.

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