USWNT Sweeps Weekend Series with New Zealand
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The No. 14 U.S. Women's National Team secured a second 3-0 shutout in this weekend's Cathy Bessant International Series against No. 10 New Zealand. The United Eagles' defense withstood a flurry of penalty corners from the Black Sticks and converted on their offensive chances in order to sweep the two-game series.
It was just six minutes in when New Zealand earned their first set piece opportunity, and the initial shot was blocked by USA's first runner Katie Dixon. Two minutes later USA would have their chance after Meredith Sholder earned the United Eagles a penalty corner, which was scored by Beth Yeager on a drag flick to put USA up 1-0.
It was less than a minute later that USA continued that momentum, when Meredith Sholder sent the ball into the circle and Phia Gladieux got a touch on it to double USA’s lead to 2-0.
After New Zealand's second penalty corner was blocked by Kelsey Bing in goal and a third shut down by USA defense, the United Eagles found themselves with a second set piece chance. Beth Yeager sent in a second drag flick goal to put USA up 3-0.
The Black Sticks continued to win penalty corners, with five more in the remainder of the second quarter, but were unable to convert—including when Josie Hollamon made a goal line defensive save. Just before the halftime whistle, Sanne Caarls earned a penalty corner for USA, but the flick from Caroline Ramsey was saved by New Zealand’s goalkeeper.
New Zealand continued their onslaught of penalty corner chances with no success, faced with a stout USA defensive penalty corner unit with Kelsey Bing at the helm. In the final quarter, the Black Sticks saw an 11th and 12th chance thwarted.
The USA defense held strong, as the United Eagles took a second 3-0 shutout victory over New Zealand on the weekend.
Player of the Match: Beth Yeager
Key Moments:
- 6’ New Zealand earned their first penalty corner, Katie Dixon as the first runner blocked the shot
- 8’ USA’s Meredith Sholder earned USA a penalty corner, which was scored by Beth Yeager on a drag flick to put USA up 1-0
- 9’ Meredith Sholder sent ball into the circle, where Phia Gladieux got a touch on it to double USA’s lead to 2-0
- 11’ New Zealand won a second penalty corner, and the initial shot was blocked by Kelsey Bing in goal
- 14’ A third set piece chance for the Black Sticks was kept out by the USA defensive unit
- 19’ USA won a second penalty corner, and Beth Yeager sent in a second drag flick goal to put USA up 3-0
- 24’ A fourth penalty corner for New Zealand saw a defensive save on the line by Josie Hollamon
- 27’ New Zealand requested a video review and won their seventh penalty corner of the match. The shot was saved by Kelsey Bing but the Black Sticks were awarded a subsequent set piece, which was again blocked by USA defense
- 29’ Sanne Caarls earned a penalty corner for USA, the flick from Caroline Ramsey was saved by New Zealand’s goalkeeper
- 44' The Black Sticks garnered a ninth set piece opportunity, which was again shut down by the United Eagles defense
- 51' New Zealand earned their tenth and 11th penalty corners but were unable to convert
Noteworthy:
- Kelsey Bing was back in goal for USA for the first time since August 3, 2024
- New Zealand earned more penalty corners (3) in the first quarter than in the match yesterday (2)
- The Black Sticks earned 12 penalty corners to USA's 3
Thoughts from Head Coach David Passmore: "Very happy with our first half performance as we pressed well and used the ball to good effect, creating some good opportunities and clinical outcomes from our corners with Beth Yeager flicking with great accuracy. However, we struggled to maintain the pressure defensively and turned the ball over while giving away too many penalty corners in the second half. Overall a pleasing result and back-to-back performances and our third successive clean sheet in test games."
Next Up: The USWNT will compete next in the 2025 Pan American Cup, set to take place July 24 to August 3 in Montevideo, Uruguay. This event is a qualifier for the 2026 FIH Hockey Women's World Cup.
