USWNT Rallies Past Ireland to Finish Top of Second Phase FIH Hockey World Cup Pool
WAVRE, Belgium – The No. 10 U.S. Women’s National Team rallied from an early deficit to defeat No. 11 Ireland, 3-1, in the second phase of pool play at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. The win puts USA at the top of Pool H where they will play in the 9th-10th place game.
The opening quarter was relatively even, with both teams working to establish possession and create opportunities. Ireland earned back-to-back penalty corners in the 5th minute, but Kelsey Bing came up with a diving deflection on the second attempt to keep the game scoreless. In the 10th minute, Bethany Dykema made a great interception and quickly fed Ryleigh Heck, who got a shot away for the USA. Meredith Sholder then helped create a penalty corner in the 11th minute, but Mia Schoenbeck’s drag was stopped. Ireland eventually broke through in the 13th minute when a backhand cross took a slight deflection and found the back of the net, giving Ireland a 1-0 lead at the quarter break.
Ireland continued to apply pressure early in the second quarter, earning back-to-back penalty corners in the 22nd minute. Bing made the save on the first attempt, while USA’s defense deflected the second chance away. The United Eagles responded with a flurry of chances, eventually seeing Ryleigh Heck drop the ball back to Lucy Adams, who fired it in from close range to level the score at 1-1.
After well defended Ireland penalty corners by Kelsey Bing and Meredith Sholder, USA took the lead late in the third off a penalty corner goal. On the re-award set piece, Mia Schoenbeck sent it in to make it 2-1.
The United Eagles extended their lead in the 52nd minute after a strong transition play through Reese D’Ariano set up Abby Tamer, who finished the chance with a backhand to give the USA a 3-1 advantage.
Ireland pressured in the remaining minutes, but USA held on for the victory.
Player of the Match: Ashley Sessa
Key Moments:
5’ Back-to-back Ireland penalty corner
5’ Diving deflection saved by Kelsey Bing
10’ Shot by Ryleigh Heck
11’ USA set piece
13’ Ireland scored a off a diving touch, 0-1
22’ Ireland penalty corner
27’ Backhand by Beth Yeager
27’ USA penalty corner
27’ Lucy Adams fired one in to equalize, 1-1
34’ Ireland set piece
35’ Green card issued to Ireland
35’ Ireland penalty upgraded corner
37’ USA set piece
41’ Mia Schoenbeck scored off a penalty corner, 2-1
47’ Green card issued to Emma DeBerdine
52’ Abby Tamer scored a backhand goal, 3-1
Noteworthy:
- Lucy Adams scored her first career international goal
- USA last faced Ireland in a two-game test series in June 2025, where they tied the first contest, 1-1, and the United Eagles won the second, 4-0
Next Up: The USWNT will play No. 7 England on Thursday, August 27 at 8:00 a.m. ET. Stream all games on Watch.Hockey (PPV).
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