U-16 USWNT Wins Four-Match Series against Canada

VANCOUVER, Canada - From May 18 to 21, the U.S. U-16 Women's National Team took on Canada in a four-match series in Vancouver, Canada. Split between two venues, Rutledge Field and Tamanwis Park, USA had an impressive performance, notching 29 goals while only conceding two.

“It was remarkable to be able to see this talented squad earn the opportunity to represent their country," said Michelle Vittese, U-16 USWNT Interim Head Coach. "It has been a long time since we’ve been able to compete in an international test series. Thank you to USA Field Hockey for allowing us the opportunity to make the trip and for Hockey Canada for hosting us! Thank you to Katie O’Donnell, Melissa Gonzalez, Kristi Fisher and Tamara Durante for all of their hard work preparing the team and managing and organizing the trip."

"Overall, we were impressed with the group’s ability to consistently compete throughout the four-game series. Additionally, they’re inspiring and very passionate about representing their country. We saw a lot of progress and development through the series and are so proud of the group’s growth. It was a massive success and there is a lot of talent and passion coming through the pipeline. Looking forward to the future of USA Field Hockey.”

It took just 3 minutes for the U-16 USWNT to get on the scoreboard on a field goal by Anna Krebs (Louisville, Ky.). The following minutes in the first quarter USA was unable to add to their 1-0 lead but took control in the second quarter and tallied four goals, one from Lily Wojcik (New Freedom, Pa.) and three from Reese D'Ariano (West Chester, Pa.), to make it a commanding 5-0 lead at the half.

USA added to that producing another three goals in the third frame to make it 8-0. All three were field goals with the first coming from Wojcik in the 37th minute, next Callie Rodgers (Richmond, Va.) tallied in the 41st minute and lastly Krebs in the 45th minute. Krebs continued where she left off in the fourth quarter recording a hat trick just 2 minutes in and Shae Wozniak (Wayne. Pa.) capped off the scoring for USA in the 54th minute. A determined Canada added one back in the 56th minute on a field goal from Rylie Novak for the final score of 10-1. 

Similar to their first meeting, USA controlled majority of the match, scoring early and often in the second game against Canada. The first quarter saw two penalty corner goals converted late in the frame by D'Ariano for the 2-0 lead. Five minutes into the second, Paige Cornelius (New Albany, Ohio) notched her first of the series on a penalty corner before Wozniak scored a field goal to make it 4-0 at the break.

The third quarter continued in similar fashion, with USA extending the lead by two more. Reese Anetsberger (Northbrook, Ill.) scored off a field goal in the 31st minute while Krebs converted on a penalty corner five minutes later to make it 6-0. USA continued dominance in the fourth frame, adding another four field goals. Wozniak tallied her second of the game in the 48th minute, Rogers scored two within a minute of each other in the 54th and 55th minutes, and Riley Savage (Charlotte, N.C.) added her name to the scoresheet in the 58th minute for the final score of 10-0.

USA continued to have a nose for the goal and scored two in the opening frame. The first came from Savage in the 11th minute through a field goal before D'Ariano converted in the 15th minute off a penalty corner. A scoreless second quarter kept the score at 2-0 in favor of the red, white and blue.

Three minutes into the third quarter Wozniak scored off a penalty corner and two minutes later, Wojcik scored to make it 4-0. D'Ariano added to the lead in the fourth quarter off a field goal with less than a minute to go to round out the scoring, 5-0.

The closest contest of the series, the game was tied with just five minutes to go. USA's D'Ariano opened the scoring in the 7th minute off a field goal. It remained a stalemate for 20 minutes before Canada equalized to make it 1-1 heading into halftime.

A scoreless third quarter and under pressure, USA picked up the momentum in the fourth scoring three goals in a 2-minute span to put it out of reach. D'Ariano broke the tie in the 55th minute off a penalty corner and a minute later Corinne Courtright (Ann Arbor, Mich.) tallied her first of the series. Kristina Johnson (Houston, Texas), also her first of the series, scored a minute later to seal the 4-1 win.

For more information on the U-16 USWNT vs. Canada Series, visit the event page.

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