USWNT Falls to New Zealand in a Shootout in 2026 FIH Hockey Nations Cup Semifinal
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – The No. 12 U.S. Women's National Team battled No. 10 New Zealand to a 1-1 draw through regulation before falling, 4-1, in a shootout in the 2026 FIH Hockey Nations Cup Semifinal. The result sends the United Eagles to the bronze medal match.
The opening quarter ended scoreless. USA finished the period on the front foot, creating a handful of attacking opportunities in the closing minutes. The United Eagles earned a penalty corner in the 12th minute, but Ashley Sessa’s shot was stopped by New Zealand goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon. Shortly after, O’Hanlon was called to action again and denied attempts from Maddie Zimmer and Abby Tamer.
The Black Sticks controlled much of the play early in the second quarter. USA earned back-to-back penalty corners in the 18th minute, with the second opportunity resulting in a drag from Mia Schoenbeck that was cleared off the goal line. New Zealand threatened in the 27th minute after intercepting a deep aerial pass, but the ensuing shot sailed wide. The match remained scoreless heading into halftime.
USA wasted no time after the break, finding the match’s first goal just one minute into the third quarter when Ashley Hoffman converted a penalty corner.
New Zealand answered three minutes later, leveling the game by scoring off their fifth penalty corner in a row to bring it back to a deadlock.
Goalkeeper Kelsey Bing came up with some critical saves, first shutting down a one-on-one opportunity before making an impressive diving stop on a backhand shot.
USA came close to reclaiming the lead in the 51st minute when a penalty corner shot was cleared off the line. On the ensuing play, the Eagles were awarded a penalty stroke, but O’Hanlon made a crucial save to deny Sessa’s attempt. The match grew increasingly physical in the closing minutes with the Black Sticks given two yellow cards but regulation concluded 1-1.
It was all New Zealand in the shootout, with them going four-for-four as USA struggled to get past O’Hanlon. Sessa converted the lone chance as USA fell 4-1.
Key Moments:
2’ Green card issued to Ashley Sessa
11’ Maddie Zimmer fed Phia Gladieux for a deflection shot
12’ USA penalty corner, shot by Ashley Sessa denied
13’ Maddie Zimmer shot stopped, Abby Tamer on the follow up
17’ Green card issued to Leah Crouse
18’ Back-to-back USA set pieces, drag by Mia Schoenbeck saved off the line
20’ Green card issued to Maddie Zimmer
28’ USA penalty corner
28’ New Zealand green card to Olivia Shannon
31’ Ashley Hoffman scored off a penalty corner, 1-0
33’ USA set piece
34’ Kelsey Bing shut down a one-on-one
34’ New Zealand scored off their fifth penalty corner in a row, 1-1
37’ USA set piece
42’ New Zealand penalty corner
42’ Kelsey Bing with a diving save
45’ USA set piece
51’ Back-to-back USA penalty corners
52’ USA penalty stroke saved
54’ Five-minute yellow card given to Hannah Cotter
55’ New Zealand penalty corner
60’ Ten-minute yellow card given to Casey Crowley
Shootout:
Round 1: New Zealand scored, Leah Crouse went wide
Round 2: New Zealand scored, Ryleigh Heck ran out of time
Round 3: New Zealand scored, Ashley Sessa converted
Round 4: New Zealand scored
Noteworthy:
- Ashley Hoffman scored her first goal of the tournament
- USA and New Zealand have now met 25 times, with New Zealand holding the slight win advantage 13-11, with one draw.
Thoughts from Head Coach David Passmore: “That was a tough pill to swallow after dominating and having double the circle entries and eleven penalty corners, plus the missed penalty stroke. There will be great learnings for this young team and we have to show our character to come back tomorrow to compete for the bronze and increase our world ranking.
Next Up: The USWNT will play for the FIH Hockey Nations Cup bronze tomorrow, June 21 at 12:00 a.m. ET against No. 13 Chile. All games can be streamed on Watch.Hockey (PPV).
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