Ireland Defeats Scotland 2-1 in Second Day of Atlantic Cup Competition
Irish come from behind to defeat Scots

By Chip Rogers

Jenny Burke’s conversion of a Claire McMahon pass with just under five minutes to play proved to be the game-winner as the Ireland national side defeated Scotland 2-1 on the second day of the Interantioanl Atlantic Cup in Virginia Beach.

The play started in the Irish backfield as Jill Orbison sent a free hit across the field and Ireland moved the ball up the right side of the field to McMahon, who took the ball to the endline and sent a crossing pass past Scotland’s keeper who had come out to make the play. Burke blocked the pass into the boards to give Ireland a 2-1 lead that would stand up through regulation.

            After a scoreless first half that saw both sides take 10 shots and attempt four short corners, Ireland was awarded a short corner in the opening seconds of the second half. A tipped ball went out the endline and on the restart Scotland brought the ball upfield and earned a short corner. Scotland’s Louise Carroll connected on a direct shot to give her side the lead in the 38^th minute of play.

            The Irish drew three corners in the next ten minutes and on the third one Laura Lee deflected a shot from Arlene Broyles to the back of the net to tie the game in the 47^th minute.

            Carroll successfully defended a breakaway attempt by the Irish in the 55^th minute of play after her keeper had moved out to the top of the circle to preserve the tie. In the 64^th minute Scotland’s Cheryl Valentine picked up a yellow card in her offensive circle, setting up the free hit for Orbison and the rest of the Irish..

            McMahon had a solo breakaway as time ran down in regulation but her shot went wide just seconds before the final horn.

            Before the game the Scotland captain Emma Rochlin was recognized for earning her 50^th cap in today’s game while Ireland’s Lynsey McVicker picked up her 100^th cap in today’s contest.

            With the win Ireland improves to 2-0 in round robin play while Scotland falls to 0-2. The Irish will take on the United States in Saturday’s competition. The top two teams in pool play will face off on Sunday for the championship.

Scoring summary

SCO: Carroll (38:00,  pc)
IRL: Lee   (47:00, pc)
IRL: Burke (65:00, fg)

 Cards:SCO:   Rowatt, G, 45^th, Valentine, Y, 64^th,    IRL: Orbison, GC, 52^nd

Keepers: SCO: Tracey Robb, 70 mins, 12 saves, 2 GA, IRL: Tara Browne, 70 mins, 9 saves, 1 GA

Shots:   SCO: 13, IRL 18

Short corners: SCO 5, IRL 10

Starters: SCO: Robb (gk), Gordon, Walker, Longmuir, Rowatt, Grant, Young, Rochlin, Velentine, Carroll, Clement. Subs: Burley, Lampard, Gilmour, Judge, Bunce

IRL: Browne (gk), Boyles, Burke, Caulfield, Kohler, Lee, McMahon, McVicker, Orbison, Sixsmith, Maybin. Subs: Cregan, Humphreys