FIH Hockey Pro League 2022/23 action continued from Wellington, as USA reversed the loss against China from 3 days ago by winning 2-0 thanks to goals on either side of half-time by Sanne Caarls and captain Amanda Golini. China posed constant threat on the USA goal but Kelsey Bing was incredible once again for the United Eagles, helping them keep a clean sheet and take all 3 points for the first time in their 2022/23 campaign.

USA vs China 2-0

USA and China had faced off against each other just 3 days back, and despite a competitive performance from the Americans, China used a late surge to run out 4-1 winners. The first quarter of their second head-to-head contest in the Pro League continued to be highly competitive, but lacked the cutting edge as both teams struggled to string together passes in the attacking third. China got the only shot of the opening quarter but Kelsey Bing saved easily from close quarters to keep the game level.

China pressed USA high in the opening minutes of the second quarter and forced two penalty corners. The first was incredibly saved by Alexandra Hammel on the line, while Kelsey Bing pulled off a great save on the second. USA started to find momentum midway through the second quarter as China decreased the intensity of their press. The Americans won their first penalty corner of the game and forced a save out of Ye Jiao, with their first shot of the game. USA turned the ball over at the half-line while China were in attack allowing them to go 2-on-1. Sessa had Caarls open to her left, but her pass was a touch long and allowed the defender to get a touch. But USA were ahead from the resulting long corner as Caarls received the ball in the circle, dribbled to her reverse and her vicious hit snuck through the legs of Jiao giving USA the lead.

USA doubled their lead early in the second half as a defensive giveaway by China in their own 25 allowed USA to snatch the ball and send in a cross into the circle where Golini stood completely unmarked. She manoeuvred around the keeper and lifted her shot just over Ping’s outstretched stick and into the goal. China had an opportunity to pull one back right away, but Zhong Jiaqi’s delayed shot was saved well by Bing. China won multiple penalty corners through the third quarter as well, but the American defence and Kelsey Bing’s keeping continued to frustrate them and took a 2-goal lead into the final quarter.

The final quarter was all about the Chinese attack against the USA defence. The USA defence particularly had to be sharp as they were reduced to 10 players early when Elizabeth Yeager was penalised with a yellow card for playing the ball after the whistle. Kelsey Bing was once again outstanding in the American goal, keeping China out from their multiple forays into the circle, including 4 penalty corners. USA had a great chance to increase their lead when a quick counter allowed them to go 2-on-2 in the circle, with China having pulled their keeper off for an extra outfield player. But Megan Rodgers took too long to get her shot away at the empty goal and China recovered to get a block in. China continued to pose a threat and came close with a penalty corner that hit the post and went out, but the goal would not come for the Snow Lotuses as USA registered their first win of the 2022/23 season.

Amanda Golini was awarded player of the match and said: “It feels amazing to register our first win of the season. We have a really great defence that backs us up and it allows us to play freely in attack, and we know if we can get the goals, then the defence can help maintain it.”

FIH Pro League – 24 February 2023

National Hockey Center, Wellington (NZL)

Result: Women’s Match 22

USA 2-0 China

Player of the Game: Amanda Golini (USA)

Umpires: Rachel Williams (ENG), Cookie Tan (SGP), David Tomlinson (NZL-video)