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AUCKLAND, New Zealand – The second match of the two-game series saw the No. 13 U.S. Women’s National Team and No. 10 New Zealand again produced an even and tight contest. After the Black Sticks took the lead, USA came from behind to tally two in the third but couldn’t hold on as the hosts equalized and notched the game winner in the final minute as red, white and blue fell 2-3.
"We played some great front foot hockey today," said David Passmore, USWNT Head Coach. "We created numerous chances and their goal was a little bit against the run of play. Our third quarter was some of the best hockey the team has played since I started coaching with them and we were deservedly ahead. Sadly, we lacked the maturity to control the final period and some poor defending cost us while New Zealand took their chances. While we all feel frustrated - it was a positive performance from a young team and shows the talent and potential in the group."
The match started a level up from yesterday with both teams displaying a lot of intensity. It was USA who controlled the opening minutes, registering a quick shot and possession in their attacking end. Just 25 seconds in Meredith Sholder (Fleetwood, Pa.) took a free hit quickly and found Phia Gladieux (Oley, Pa.) who worked the edge of the circle and ripped a backhand shot just wide. Play was static for a period before Cassie Sumfest (Lewisburg, Pa.) drew a penalty corner midway through the frame. Although the chance was well defended, USA earned another set piece shortly after but again couldn’t capitalize. Possession shifted in favor of the Black Sticks for the final 2 minutes before the break. New Zealand earned back-to-back penalty corners, but great USA defense deflected both chances away.
The hosts continued on the front foot into the second quarter testing the United Eagles’ outletting decisions. In the 18th minute, New Zealand had a poised build up that resulted in goalkeeper Kealsie Reeb (Seaford, Va.) Seaford, Va.) recording her first save. The Black Sticks had a sustained period of pressure seeing a ball go across the goalmouth untouched. In the 27th minute, the Black Sticks broke the deadlock after Breana Catley sent a reverse cross along the left baseline that Paige Blake got a slight touch on to put it past Reeb. USA ramped up the attack in the closing minutes but couldn’t find an outcome as they found themselves trailing 0-1 at halftime.
USA equalized and took the lead in the third quarter after coming out of the break with renewed energy. The first goal came in the 38th minute off a penalty corner that went to Caroline Ramsey Morristown, N.J.) at the top who sent it back to inserter Kelee Lepage (Honey Brook, Pa.). Lepage’s lifted shot hit the crossbar, but Daniela Mendez-Trendler (Reistertown, Md.) put in the rebound. Two minutes later, again off a set piece, it was Carter Ayars (Wilmington, Del.) who struck on a straight sweep to put USA ahead, 2-1. With 1:18 to go before the break, Lepage was issued a 5-minute yellow card and the Black Sticks immediately threatened with a close chance that went just wide.
Goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz (Houston, Texas) entered the game at the start of the fourth quarter as USA was still down an athlete with the card that rolled over. New Zealand capitalized on the situation by finding the equalizer in the 49th minute off a penalty corner deflection from Blake. With 3 minutes to go, the hosts earned four consecutive penalty corners, with the final being saved by Skubisz. Time ticked on and with 90 seconds to go, New Zealand got the game winner when Anna Willocks got on the end of a reverse pass from Kaitlin Cotter. Unable to answer, USA fell 2-3.
Today’s contest marked two career milestones as Houston natives Mia Abello (Houston, Texas) and Annabel Skubisz both earned their first international caps for Team USA.
Simon Watts
Next, the Eagles will compete in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Santiago, Chile from February 24 to March 2. The third edition of this event gives the winning team the option to be promoted to the FIH Hockey Pro League the next season.
For more information regarding the 2025 USWNT vs. New Zealand Tour, visit the event page.
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