USWNT Holds Off Scotland to Earn FIH Hockey World Cup Victory
WAVRE, Belgium – The No. 11 U.S. Women’s National Team battled through a tightly contested match to defeat No. 14 Scotland, 3–2, and earn their first win of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
It was a quick start for USA as Reese D’Ariano put one on the board in the 3rd minute after finding space and sending a low backhand into the corner.
In the 10th minute, Scotland equalized off a penalty corner to make it 1-1.
Just a minute later, USA earned their own set piece, following a video referral. On the chance, the option down to Meredith Sholder rung off the cross bar. Still on the attack, the United Eagles earned a second set piece, but it was well defended.
The USA took the lead in the second quarter after putting pressure on Scotland’s goalkeeper with several quality chances. Claire Danahy found Abby Tamer with a well-placed pass, but Tamer’s attempt was smothered. D’Ariano then fired in another backhand attempt, which was stopped. In the 24th minute, Phia Gladieux capitalized on a deep Scotland turnover to put the USA ahead, 2–1.
Scotland came out with more control to start the third quarter, putting increased pressure on USA goalkeeper Kelsey Bing. The United Eagles extended their lead in the 38th minute when Mia Schoenbeck converted a penalty corner to make it 3–1.
Late in the third, Tamer came up with two crucial runs to disrupt back-to-back Scotland penalty corner attempts, but Scotland eventually found the back of the net in the 40th minute off a set piece to cut the USA’s lead to 3–2.
The fourth quarter was tightly contested, with both teams battling for possession and creating a few dangerous chances. The intensity ramped up in the closing minutes as Scotland pushed forward in search of an equalizer, pulling their goalkeeper in the 56th minute to add an extra field player. USA held strong through the final minutes to secure the victory.
Player of the Match: Reese D'Ariano
Key Moments:
3’ Reese D’Ariano puts USA on the board, 1-0
10’ Scotland penalty corner goal, 1-1
11’ USA set piece
12’ USA penalty corner
19’ Abby Tamer shot smothered
20’ Scotland issued a green card
23’ Shot by Reese D’Ariano
24’ Phia Gladieux capitalized on a turnover, 2-1
26’ Scotland penalty corner
27’ Scotland issued a green card
30’ Green card issued to Lucy Adams
38’ Mia Schoenbeck converted off a penalty corner, 3-1
39’ Scotland penalty corner
40’ Scotland tallied on a set piece, 3-2
56’ Scotland pulled their goalkeeper
Noteworthy:
- Beth Yeager played in her 75th international cap
- USA last faced Scotland in the 2013 FIH Hockey World League Round 2, where it ended 1-1
Thoughts from Head Coach David Passmore: “We are delighted to get the win! When we played on the front foot, we were threatening but Scotland are a good side and we turned the ball over too cheaply and ran it too often. That said, we coped well when Scotland took off their goalkeeper by restricting them to wide entries. It’s a good learning experience for this team who will only improve from having been through that type of pressure. It’s all to play for now and we will rest mentally and physically before the big game against Germany."
Next Up: The USWNT play their final FIH Hockey World Cup pool game on Wednesday, August 19 at 8:00 a.m. ET against No. 5 Germany. Watch all games on CBS Sports or Watch.Hockey (PPV).
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