U-21 USWNT Win Bronze against Hosts at Uniphar 5-Nations Tournament

DUBLIN, Ireland - The U.S. U-21 Women's National Team claimed bronze at the Uniphar 5-Nations Tournament that took place this past week. From June 19 to 26 at The Hockey Centre in Dublin, Ireland, USA went up against some high quality opponents when they faced 2021 FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup champions, The Netherlands; Ukraine, India and Ireland. 

In their first game of the Uniphar 5-Nations Tournament in Dublin, Ireland, the U-21 USWNT faced the 2021 FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup champions, The Netherlands.

The Orange struck first, scoring in the 7th minute off a penalty corner through Amber Brouwer. They extended their lead in the 22nd minute when Isis van Loon capitalized on a field goal. In the 36th minute, USA added one back off a penalty corner. The initial shot was saved but Lauren Wadas (Annville, Pa.) jumped on a goal mouth scramble to make it 2-1. Less than a minute later, the Netherlands responded with a field goal by Lilli de Nooijer. USA continued to push and in the 44th minute got within one again when Caroline Ramsey (Morristown, N.J.) buried a drag off a penalty corner. The reigning JWC champions secured the 4-2 win in the 53rd minute off a penalty corner by Belen van der Broke.

"This was a solid opening performance from an inexperienced team who are trusting in the process," comment Paul, after the game. "They created many scoring opportunities throughout the game and displayed strong team defense."

In their second game of the Uniphar 5-Nations Tournament in Dublin, Ireland, the U-21 USWNT took on Ukraine.

Scoreless after two quarters, USA opened up the scoring at the start of the second half. In the 45th minute following a quick restart, Ryleigh Heck (Berlin, N.J.) scored a beautiful backhand baseline goal. Five minutes later, Katie Dixon (Cary, N.C.) made it 2-0 for USA putting away a rebound off a quick counter attack.

"We are appreciative to Hockey Ireland for making it possible for the Ukraine U-21 team to participate in this tournament," said Paul. "Ukraine posed us some new questions to answer and the team found solutions to these in the second half and played some very nice build up play. We are very pleased with the continued growth the team is making."

In their third game Uniphar 5-Nations Tournament in Dublin, Ireland, the U-21 USWNT went  up against India.

Scoreless through the first three quarters, USA got on the board 1-minute into the final frame on a penalty corner goal from Hannah Miller (Malvern, Pa.). India responded 2 minutes later off a quick counter attack goal from Nikita Toppo. Less than a minute later, India extended their lead through Annu after capitalizing on a midfield turnover. Annu added another in the 52nd minute, again off an unforced turnover. India's final goal came in the 58th minute when Vaishnavi Phalke scored off a penalty corner.

“Today’s score is by no means a reflection of the game," said Paul. "I am proud of how the team competed and executed the game plan in first three quarters. The valuable lesson to extract is that in order to beat the best internationally you have to be able to sustain the pace of play for the entire game."

In their fourth game Uniphar 5-Nations Tournament in Dublin, Ireland, the U-21 USWNT faced hosts, Ireland.

After a scoreless first quarter, USA took a 2-0 lead in the second period after notching both goals in a 2-minute span. The first came off a penalty corner rebound from Miller. Next a build up led to Miller tipping it in off the back post.

Ireland responded at the start of the fourth frame capitalizing on two penalty corners to even the score. In the 52nd minute, KJ Marshall scored on a rebound and 4 minutes later Emma Paul buried a sweep from the top. In the final minute of play, USA secured the 3-2 win on a penalty corner drag goal from Ramsey.

“We asked the team to demonstrate learnings from our game against India and challenged them with tactical changes to execute today,” commented Paul. “I am pleased at the way they applied themselves to the challenges we set them and the result was an outcome of that.”

In the 3rd/4th place game, the U-21 USWNT took on Ireland, for the second day in a row.

Ramsey opened the scoring for USA in the 26th minute converting off a penalty corner. The next goal came in the 35th minute after USA gained possession off the press and Olivia Bent-Cole (Philadelphia, Pa.) scored off the rebound. USA added two more goals in the fourth quarter. The first in the 52nd minute off a quick counter attack where Heck shot it from the top and Abigail Tamer (Whitmore Lake, Mich.) deflected it in and the next, in the final minute, when Heck used individual skill on the baseline to get inside the stroke mark and score.

"Today's result is a reflection of the effort the team put in to improving throughout the tournament," state Paul. "We created a lot of turnovers from good pressing and worked together to play some very good team hockey."

For more information on Uniphar 5-Nations Tournament, visit the event page.

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