Excellent Start at 2025 JWC Continues for U-21 USWNT with Shutout Against Korea
SANTIAGO, Chile – Under the blistering sun, the No. 6 U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team remained undefeated at the 2025 FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup (JWC) with a 4-0 shutout win over No. 10 Korea.
USA was relentless with their pressure to start the match, keeping Korea back inside their defensive 50 for the opening five minutes. It felt inevitable that the Junior Eagles would score, and they did just that in the 11th minute when Mary Adams converted on a penalty corner.
USA finished out the first frame with sustained pressure, a second penalty corner chance that was unsuccessful, and a 1-0 lead.
Korea came out with renewed spirit in the second quarter, but it was USA who found the net again, in the 23rd minute. In a beautiful passing sequence down the field, the ball was sent by Reese D'Ariano to Lauren Masters, then sent to Maci Bradford, who scored on a reverse shot into the far corner.
The red, white and blue led 2-0 heading into the third quarter. It was an interesting frame, with USA garnering back-to-back green cards in the 37th minute and back-to-back set piece chances a few minutes later. In minute 43, an aerial ball from Mia Schoenbeck was directed into space where Reese Anetsberger collected the ball and crossed it. A touch by Alaina McVeigh put USA up 3-0.
With ten minutes left in regulation and off a penalty corner, Mia Abello nailed a shot from the top to put USA up 4-0.
In another dominant showing, to remain undefeated in pool play, the Junior Eagles were victorious over Korea, 4-0.
Player of the Match: Mia Schoenbeck
Key Moments:
- 11' Mary Adams scores off a penalty corner rebound from the insert position to put USA up 1-0
- 14' USA penalty corner, no outcome
- 23' Reese D'Ariano passes to Lauren Masters, who sends it to Maci Bradford, who scores on a reverse shot, USA up 2-0
- 37' USA shown back-to-back green cards
- 40' USA earns back-to-back penalty corners, no outcome
- 43' An aerial sent up from Mia Schoenbeck finds Reese Anetsberger, who sends it across, where Alaina McVeigh touches it in. USA leads 3-0
- 50' Mia Abello scores off a penalty corner straight shot, USA up 4-0
- 54' Goalkeeper Juliana Boon enters the game
- 57' USA's Madison Beach earns a yellow card
Noteworthy:
- Mary Adams tallied her first junior international goal
- It was the first junior international cap for Juliana Boon
- USA defeated Korea for the third time and by the largest margin (4) of all their five meetings
Next Up: The Junior Eagles will play No. 22 Uruguay in their third and final pool play match on Friday, December 5 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Fans can watch it live on Watch.Hockey.
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