USWNT’s Comeback Falls Short Against Great Britain in FIH Hockey Pro League

LONDON, England – It was a sold out crowd of 5,000 fans to watch the No. 15 U.S. Women’s National Team play No. 6 Great Britain in the 2022-23 FIH Hockey Pro League at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. USA found themselves trailing 3-0 and fought hard to cut it within one, but the United Eagles’ comeback fell short as Great Britain went on to win, 4-2.

After holding Great Britain at bay with circle penetrations, USA found themselves trailing in the 4th minute. After the ball hit a red, white and blue foot, it fell to a wide open Fiona Crackles who had space to fire it into the net. The hosts kept up the pressure for a period as USA struggled to get any form of possession. In the 10th minute, Great Britain doubled their lead when Sophie Hamilton sent it toward cage and it unfortunately was a USA own goal, deflected in by a defender. Although down two goals, a determined USA side pressed forward and earned three penalty corners in the final minutes. The United Eagles’ best look came off the third set piece when a drag by Elizabeth Yeager (Greenwich, Conn.) was saved by Great Britain goalkeeper Miriam Pritchard, but Sanne Caarls (Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands) was on the rebound and Emma DeBerdine (Millersville, Pa.) swept it just over the crossbar.

Three minutes into the second frame, Great Britain extended their lead when Martha Taylor threaded USA’s defense and Charlotte Watson collected and lifted it over USA goalkeeper Kelsey Bing (Houston, Texas). This didn’t deflate the USA whose determination and drive allowed them to add two back within a 2-minute span. In the 25th minute off a penalty corner, Yeager’s initial drag was stopped but it was Abigail Tamer (Dexter, Mich.) who finished the goalmouth scramble to put the United Eagles on the board. Next, after a great run, Maddie Zimmer (Hershey, Pa.) flipped it to Ashley Sessa (Schwenksville, Pa.) who put a small reverse through Pritchard to cut the margin. In the 28th minute, Amanda Golini (Randolph, N.J.) was issued a green card and Great Britain capitalized a minute later when Watson scored off a penalty corner to make it 4-2.

After a scoring filled first half with six goals, neither side produced in the second. At one point during the third period, USA found themselves down to nine athletes after earning back-to-back green cards for hard tackles. The United Eagles fended off a Great Britain penalty corner in the 40th minute and Bing turned away a shot by Lily Owsley in the 44th minute, as those were the only real looks on goal in the quarter.

Tides turned in the fourth as Great Britain was issued green cards within a 5-minute span, but USA couldn’t capitalize on the advantage. In the 54th minute, Bing stepped off the field as USA opted for an additional field player. This gave the red, white and blue a spark as a backhand shot by Caarls went just past the back post as Tamer and Megan Rodgers (San Diego, Calif.) were both on the turf looking for a touch. Some great individual recovery defense for USA kept Great Britain from tallying anymore and the United Eagles earned a penalty corner in the final 2 minutes but couldn’t produce as the score remained 4-2.

Following the game, Great Britain’s Elizabeth Neal was named Player of the Match.

USA has a day rest before taking on No. 1 Netherlands again on Tuesday, June 20 at 9:40 a.m. ET. in their third FIH Hockey Pro league game of the mini-tournament in London, England.

For more information regarding the FIH Hockey Pro League, visit the event page.

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