Indoor USWNT Starts Strong with Win Over Argentina at 2024 IPAC

CALGARY, Canada – The No. 8 U.S. Women’s National Indoor Team opened up 2024 Indoor Pan American Cups play when they took on No. 30 Argentina at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex in Calgary, Canada. After a slow start and finding themselves trailing, USA went on to tally some impressive goals, powered by hat tricks from Reese D’Ariano (West Chester, Pa.) and Ryleigh Heck (Ocean City, N.J.), for the 7-1 win.

USA held possession in the first quarter and started quick with two circle penetrations that led to two quick shots. In the 3rd minute, Heck was issued a green card for a breakdown foul and within a minute Argentina capitalized on a penalty corner goal through Lara Irianni. The United Eagles resumed control and saw a fast break pull Argentina goalkeeper Camila Zuk out of the cage but she made a great recovery save. Continuing to threaten, Heck evened the match in the 8th minute putting a rebound into the net.

The second quarter started slow until USA received their first penalty corner 4 minutes in. After the Argentina defender wasn’t ready in time, D’Ariano’s shot earned USA a penalty stroke for hitting the defender on the line. Hope Rose (Dauphin, Pa.) stepped up and converted to give the red, white and blue a 2-1 lead. A minute later, Heck tallied her second with a beautiful finish. Now leading by two, the United Eagles sat in a low press, forcing Argentina to find the open lanes. In the closing minutes before the break, Elizabeth Tamburro (Phoenixville, Pa.) made came up with a great save, forced drilling and saw a goal overturned for hitting.

Just 35 seconds into the third frame, Heck recorded her hat trick after receiving a long ball and spinning strong side past Zuk. Seconds later, D’Ariano got her name on the scoresheet with a baseline touch to make it 5-1. USA remained on the front foot for the rest of the quarter, and saw a few shots stopped and a set piece go unawarded.

Holding a comfortable lead, USA added two more through D’Ariano in the final quarter. The first came in the 33rd minute when Heck passed it cross circle to D’Ariano who lifted it over Zuk. Two minutes later, D’Ariano had a solo run down the middle, beat a defender and put it past Zuk’s shoulder. The final minutes of the game saw Tamburro tested again but the score line remained 7-1 in favor of the USA.

Today’s contest marked career milestones for two Team USA athletes. Sofia Ferri (Phoenixville, Pa.) and Abigail Gerdeman (Chester Springs, Pa.) both played in their first international indoor cap.

The USA women play No. 12 Canada tomorrow, March 20 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the full event live pay-per-view on Watch.Hockey. 

For more information regarding the 2024 Indoor Pan American Cups, visit the event page.

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