Australia 4 defeated USA 2
Goals: Australia ÔÇô Suzie Faulkner FG 9m, Susannah Harris PC 29m, Fiona Johnson 48m, Karen Smith FG 65m; USA - Kelly Doton PC 5m, Tiffany Snow PS 7m
The USA women's team saw an early two goal lead once again vanish as Australia scored four consecutive goals to win 4-2 in game three of their series in Virginia Beach.
For the second time in the series, the world's No. 3 ranked Australians fought back from a two-goal deficit. The Aussies fell behind by two goals in the second half of game one before settling for a 3-3 draw. Australia won game two of the series, 4-0.
Like the first game, the USA attacked the Australians from the opening whistle and quickly forged a 2-0 lead. Kelly Doton scored her first international goal at the five-minute mark and Tiffany Snow scored her third goal of the series on a penalty stroke past Olympic goalkeeper Rachel Imison two minutes later to give the USA the early advantage.
The lead was short lived however as Susie Faulkner connected on a field goal on Australia's next possession, and Susannah Harris added a penalty corner goal in the 29th minute to tie the game at halftime.
Australia continued its attack into the second half as Fiona Johnson gave her team the lead in the 48th minute and Karen Smith added an insurance goal with five minutes to play to give Australia the victory.
The series is serving as a tune-up for coach Lee Bodimeade's USA team before the squad hosts England, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain at the Rabobank Hockey Champions Challenge, July 8-16 at the USA National Training Center in Virginia Beach.
The series with Australia concludes with game four at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
