The USA Women's National Team came out determined for a win today and got it. After three losses in three straight games to #6 New Zealand, the USA pulled out a well played 5-3 victory at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center.
USA got on the board first with a field goal that started on the right side from Melissa Gonzalez to Torrie Albini. Albini crossed the ball from the right across the goal to a perfectly positioned Michelle Kasold who wasted no time and put the ball away to go up 1-0. Next it was Player of the Match, Katie Reinprecht who scored on a deflection at the top of the circle in the 31st minute. Right before half-time Shannon Taylor fed Paige Selenski who was under hot pursuit by the New Zealand defenders. Selenski made a hard pull to the left and executed a perfect reverse stick shot to take the USA 3-0 into the locker room for the half.
Powerful New Zealand would not be denied in the second half as they scored a penalty corner in the 40th minute off of a low drag flick by Katie Glynn. However, the USA answered minutes later as Katie O'Donnell showed some great skill and set up Katie Reinprecht for another pretty reverse stick goal, taking the score to 4-1. In the 48th minute, New Zealand struck again, this time a Glynn deflection off of a pass from the right side. With the score now 5-2, Katie O'Donnell made a tough steal at the top of the circle and assisted Paige Selenski on her second goal of the match.
Late in the game, the momentum started to turn New Zealand's way as the USA gave up multiple turn-overs. But the USA persisted and only allowed one more goal for New Zealand as Krystal Forgesson scored after a New Zealand run straight through the USA defense.
With a solid win giving them much-needed confidence, the USA will look to get another positive result against New Zealand on Sunday at 2:00 pm Pacific time. Both Teams will mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a moment of silence prior to the game. The game will be broadcast live on usafieldhockey.com.
USFHA media release
The USA Women's National Team came out determined for a win today and got it. After three losses in three straight games to #6 New Zealand, the USA pulled out a well played 5-3 victory at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center.USA got on the board first with a field goal that started on the right side from Melissa Gonzalez to Torrie Albini. Albini crossed the ball from the right across the goal to a perfectly positioned Michelle Kasold who wasted no time and put the ball away to go up 1-0. Next it was Player of the Match, Katie Reinprecht who scored on a deflection at the top of the circle in the 31st minute. Right before half-time Shannon Taylor fed Paige Selenski who was under hot pursuit by the New Zealand defenders. Selenski made a hard pull to the left and executed a perfect reverse stick shot to take the USA 3-0 into the locker room for the half.
Powerful New Zealand would not be denied in the second half as they scored a penalty corner in the 40th minute off of a low drag flick by Katie Glynn. However, the USA answered minutes later as Katie O'Donnell showed some great skill and set up Katie Reinprecht for another pretty reverse stick goal, taking the score to 4-1. In the 48th minute, New Zealand struck again, this time a Glynn deflection off of a pass from the right side. With the score now 5-2, Katie O'Donnell made a tough steal at the top of the circle and assisted Paige Selenski on her second goal of the match.
Late in the game, the momentum started to turn New Zealand's way as the USA gave up multiple turn-overs. But the USA persisted and only allowed one more goal for New Zealand as Krystal Forgesson scored after a New Zealand run straight through the USA defense.
With a solid win giving them much-needed confidence, the USA will look to get another positive result against New Zealand on Sunday at 2:00 pm Pacific time. Both Teams will mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a moment of silence prior to the game.
The game will be broadcast live on usafieldhockey.com.
Source: USFHA media release
