Last Minute Goal Gives Netherlands Edge over Indoor USWNT in Final Pool Game of FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup

PRETORIA, South Africa – The No. 14 U.S. Women’s National Indoor Team faced their toughest pool opponent in No. 2 The Netherlands on the final day before crossovers at the 2023 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup at Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria, South Africa. The Oranje got on the board first, but USA made the most of their limited offensive opportunities to always equalize when needed. After tying the match at 2-2 in the third quarter, The Netherlands prevailed and found the game-winner in the final minute to capture the 3-2 win.

USA goalkeeper Elizabeth Tamburro (Phoenixville, Pa.) knew she was going to be under a lot of pressure, facing a Netherlands team who put up 26 goals so far. USA held their opponents until the 6th minute after an unlucky trap by a defender led to them winning and converting on their first penalty corner through Tessa Clasener. The Oranje produced another seven shots in the frame, but USA continued with their compact press to not allow the 1-0 score line to change.

The Netherlands resumed possession in the second, as USA maintained their structure of a deep press. A close chance came for the red, white and blue when Hannah Miller (Malvern, Pa.) got a spinning shot off that was stopped by Netherlands’ goalkeeper Alexandra Heerbaart. This gave USA some spark, as they produced a few more circle entries as the remaining of the frame was all Oranje, still testing Tamburro, but the score did not change going into the half.

Out of the break, USA immediately took control into their attacking end when Abby Burnett (Zionsville, Pa.) earned the red, white and blue a penalty corner. On the chance, Reese D’Ariano (West Chester, Pa.) saw her shot called dangerous for going into a defender. USA kept threatening and in the 23rd minute, D’Ariano used speed around Heerbaart to find the equalizer at 1-1. The score stood for 3 minutes before the Netherlands capitalized on their third penalty corner in a row through Lieke van Wijk to change it to 2-1.

Although trailing to start the final quarter, USA knew they had to make the most of their scoring opportunities when present. A close chance came for USA in the 32nd minute when a shot by Annika Herbine (Macungie, Pa.) rung off the goal frame, but she was penalized for a swinging motion. Immediately following The Netherlands’ Mabel Brands was issued a green card for drilling and that athlete-up advantage is what USA needed to push forward. Going fast, the red, white and blue earned a penalty corner and D’Ariano scored but the officials had to converse before officially agreeing and calling it a goal as it was initially called a penalty stroke for hitting an Oranje athlete in the frame. Now with a tied match at 2-2, USA continued to remain composed on defense, withstanding The Netherlands’ constant pressure. The final 5 minutes saw the Oranje earn six penalty corners, where one was denied off the goal line in the air by USA’s defense. It looked like USA did enough to secure a draw but with seconds remaining, The Netherlands converted on their final penalty corner opportunity to take the game, 3-2.

Following the game, USA’s goalkeeper Elizabeth Tamburro was named Player of the Match for making an impressive 33 saves.

With the loss, USA finish fifth in Pool A and will play the 5th place finisher in Pool A at tomorrow, February 10, at 3:00 a.m. ET.

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