USWNT Finish FIH Hockey Pro League Leg with Loss to No. 2 Argentina

HOBART, Australia – The No. 15 U.S. Women’s National Team faced No. 2 Argentina in their final game of the FIH Hockey Pro League mini-tournament at the Tasmania Hockey Centre in Hobart, Australia. Scoreless after the first quarter, Las Leonas tallied in each of the remaining frames to secure the 3-0 win.

Similar to their first meeting, Argentina started the match on the front foot, holding much of the possession. This tested USA’s defense early but they remained strong and limited any positive circle entries. The United Eagles had some momentum midway through but couldn’t break into their attacking end. With 3 minutes to go, Las Leonas produced the only look on goal in the opening frame when Maria Granatto dribbled in on the left side and forced USA goalkeeper Kelsey Bing (Houston, Texas) to make a low angle save and keep it scoreless.

Three minutes into the second quarter Argentina broke the deadlock on a penalty corner tip by Granatto. Immediately following, this lead was almost doubled when Las Leonas earned another penalty corner, but they couldn’t find an outcome. Play calmed for a period before Argentina earned another set piece that was stopped on the goal line by the solid stick of Ashley Hoffman (Mohnton, Pa.). In the final 2 minutes, Las Leonas saw good passing go unrewarded as Bing made a critical stop and for USA a long ball by Josie Hollamon (Delmar, Del.) ended with a shot by Sanne Caarls (Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands) that was well defended to keep the score unchanged, 1-0.

USA started the third quarter with more poise, but after green cards were issued to both sides there was a lapse on defense. Argentina exploited the chance and extended their lead in the 40th minute on a goal from Delfina Thome. The remainder of the frame was played primarily between the attacking ends as Las Leonas held the 2-0 lead heading into the final period.

To start the final quarter, USA substituted goalkeeper Jenny Rizzo (Hershey, Pa.) into the match. In the 48th minute, she was called to action and came up with a great diving save off a penalty corner. Argentina kept up the attacking pressure and added another in the 56th minute when a baseline cross by Granatto was unfortunately touched in by a USA defender. Las Leonas closed out the contest with control to secure the 3-0 win.

Following the game, Argentina’s Sofia Toccalino was named Player of the Match.

USA’s next FIH Hockey Pro League mini-tournament will take place June 17 through 21 in London, England, where they will take on No. 1 The Netherlands and No. 5 Great Britain. They will remain in Europe with their final series June 30 through July 5 in Antwerp, Belgium against No. 4 Germany and No. 6 Belgium.

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

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