U-21 USWNT Falls to Belgium in 2025 JWC Quarterfinal
SANTIAGO, Chile – Despite an evenly matched first half performance, the No. 6 U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team dropped their 2025 FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Quarterfinal, 4-1, to No. 7 Belgium.
It was a hectic first two minutes, and Belgium took advantage of their first attacking chance to take a 1-0 lead. For the first time all tournament, the Junior Eagles were trailing.
Despite a frazzled start to the match, by the time the first quarter ended, USA was back to looking like their confident self, yet still down 1-0. The second frame continued how the previous one had ended, with two evenly matched teams fighting hard. USA could not convert on any chances, but kept Belgium from scoring again for the remainder of the half.
In the first 30 seconds of the third quarter Belgium doubled their lead to 2-0 off a penalty corner goal. This opened the floodgates for the Junior Red Panthers, who scored back-to-back goals in the next two minutes to go up 4-0, putting USA on their heels.
Still on defense but more settled, the Junior Eagles battled for the final frame. With one minute remaining, Reese D'Ariano saved USA from being shutout. She stole the ball, dribbled it into the circle, and nailed a high reverse shot.
Belgium took a 4-1 victory to advance to the Semifinals, while USA moves to the 5th-8th placement round.
Key Moments:
- 2' Belgium scores early to take a 1-0 lead
- 4' Belgium earns the first penalty corner, USA goalkeeper Alyssa Klebasko makes the save
- 6' Belgium earns a second penalty corner, stop from Alyssa Klebasko
- 10' USA penalty corner, defended well by Belgium
- 16' USA penalty corner, drag flick by Mia Schoenbeck saved
- 18' Belgium penalty corner
- 26' Ella Beach earns USA penalty corner
- 31' Belgium converts a set piece to go up 2-0
- 33' Belgium scores to take a 3-0 lead
- 34' USA looses their video referral, Belgium scores on penalty corner to lead 4-0
- 52' Belgium set piece chance
- 59' Reese D'Ariano steals the ball and scores on a reverse shot, Belgium leads 4-1
Noteworthy:
- Reese D'Ariano tallied her first junior international goal
- USA and Belgium have only ever met twice, both in the Junior World Cup, where the Junior Red Panthers won both contests
Next Up: The Junior Eagles will play in the 5th-8th placement game tomorrow, December 9 at 4:00 p.m. ET against No. 4 England. Fans can stream all games live on Watch.Hockey.
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