USWNT Captures FIH Hockey5s World Cup Challenger Trophy After Close Win Over Namibia

MUSCAT, Oman – Having played in pool play just days earlier, the U.S. Women’s National Team met Namibia in the FIHHockey5s World Cup for the Challenger Trophy. USA tallied once in each half, and kept a clean sheet, for the 2-0 victory and to become the first-ever Challenger Trophy winners.

USA held the edge in shots in the first half but only had one goal to show because of the performance of Namibia goalkeeper Petro Stoffberg. It started with Cassie Sumfest (Lewisburg, Pa.) testing Stoffberg with back-to-back shots. Next, Charlotte de Vries (Malvern, Pa.) used space to break through and then Lora Clarke (Shaker Heights, Ohio) weaved in but was met by Stoffberg. The lone goal was scored in the 6th minute, when Linnea Gonzales (Bel Air, Md.) passed a ball down to De Vries in the left corner who sent a backhand cross that was finished by Clarke. A total of 11 shots were registered, with chances coming from Caroline Ramsey (Morristown, N.J.), Jans Croon (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), Sumfest, De Vries and Clarke. With less than a minute to go, Namibia was awarded a challenge, but goalkeeper Kealsie Robles (Yorktown, Va.) came out to make the sweeping stick clear.

Three minutes into the second half, Namibia almost found the equalizer when a hard shot by Jerrica Bartlett went inches wide of the post. USA found themselves on the backfoot for a period as Robles denied three shots in a row. A solo run and forehand goal by Abigail Burnett (Zionsville, Pa.) in the 24th minute gave USA a two-goal margin. The United Eagles played poised and controlled in the final minutes as they secured the win.

Following the game, Abigail Burnett was named Player of the Match.

"[This win] shows are determination and grit as a team, after getting out of a hard pool and showing our best," commented Burnett. "This shows that Hockey5s is a quick, competitive game and that USA can compete with the rest of the teams here."

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

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