USWNT Starts 2026 FIH Hockey Nations Cup with Narrow Loss to India
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – The No. 12 U.S. Women’s National Team saw a two-goal lead slip away in a 3-2 loss to No. 9 India to start the 2026 FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Auckland, New Zealand. The United Eagles struck twice in the opening 6 minutes, but India responded with three unanswered goals, all from penalty corners, to complete the comeback.
USA got off to a quick start, taking the lead in the 4th minute when Beth Yeager carried the ball through the middle and found Ashley Sessa on the right side, where she finished with a forehand shot into the net.
Just two minutes later, the Eagles doubled their advantage off a penalty corner as Ashley Hoffman delivered the ball to Maddie Zimmer, who reverse deflected it past the goalkeeper.
India created a handful of threatening opportunities late in the quarter, including one that required a strong save from goalkeeper Kelsey Bing to preserve the two-goal lead.
India struck early in the second quarter, converting their first penalty corner just two minutes after the restart to cut the USA's lead to 2-1. USA responded with several promising attacking sequences and earned two penalty corners, including one that was cleared off the goal line by an India defender.
India continued to build momentum, leveling the score at 2-2 in the 24th minute off another penalty corner before taking their first lead of the match in the 28th minute from yet another set piece.
The third quarter was quiet offensively for the USA, as turnovers disrupted possession and limited opportunities to build sustained attacks. Neither team was able to find the back of the net during the period, leaving the scoreline unchanged heading into the fourth quarter.
India threatened early in the fourth quarter with a penalty corner in the 48th minute, but Bing made the initial save and followed up with another stop to keep the USA within one goal. Mia Schoenbeck produced a strong individual run into the circle, creating space for a backhand shot that narrowly missed the target. USA had strong possession in the closing minutes but were unable to find the equalizer.
Key Moments:
4’ Ashley Sessa scored with a forehand shot into the net, 1-0
6’ USA scores off a penalty corner through Maddie Zimmer, 2-0
13’ India shot stopped by Kelsey Bing
17’ India scored off a penalty corner, 2-1
17’ USA set piece
19’ Backhand from Reese D’Ariano
19’ USA penalty corner saved off the line
22’ Back-to-back USA set pieces
24’ India scored off a penalty corner, 2-2
28’ India scored off a set piece, 2-3
30’ USA penalty corner
48’ India set piece
48’ Backhand shot from Mia Schoenbeck
56’ India penalty corner
57’ Backhand from Lucy Adams
Noteworthy:
- The last time USA and India met was during the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Pro League, where India won 2-1 in a shootout
Thoughts from Head Coach David Passmore: “A disappointing game to lose especially by such fine margins and after such a good start and going two ahead. Normally our penalty corner defense is such a strong unit and we’re only beaten each time by the tiniest of differences. We have to regroup, take the many positives and go again tomorrow."
Next Up: The USWNT play their second FIH Hockey Nations Cup pool game tomorrow, Monday, June 15 at 6:45 p.m. ET against No. 17 Uruguay. All games can be streamed on Watch.Hockey (PPV).
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