Ireland Tops USA in International Atlantic Cup

Ireland handed the United States its first loss of the tournament with a 2-1 victory in the third day of round robin competition at the International Atlantic Cup Tournament at the U.S. Training Center in Virginia Beach, Va.

The game marked the end of round robin play for the two teams who will meet again in Sunday's championship contest.

            Ireland took a 1-0 lead in the 6^th minute of play on a shot at the top right of the circle by Karen Humphreys.  The Irish dribbled down field when Daphne Sixsmith fed the ball into mix of waiting teammates and American defenders. Humphreys emerged with the ball was to fire away for the first goal of the game.

            At the 18^th minute of the first half, Ireland extended its lead to 2-0.   After the third consecutive penalty corner attempt, Arlene Boyle found the back of the U.S. net with Rachel Kohler on the insert and Pamela Magill on the stick stop for the assists.

            Following the two goals by Ireland, the U.S. team had several close scoring opportunities.  Mimi Smith charged down the right field line and fed the ball to teammate Kim Miller whose shot went wide of the Ireland net for the first U.S. shot on goal.  Captain Tracy Fuchs executed a pass straight across the front of the Ireland goal, but the Irish defense kept the U.S. away from intercepting the pass.

            Miller then got the U.S. team onto the scoreboard at the 33^rd minute of the first half.  Fuchs passed the ball to Miller who was at point blank range in front of the Ireland cage for the score.

            Both teams were held scoreless in the second half, although the U.S. went on to outshoot Ireland 7-4.  Several U.S. players, including Fuchs, Miller, Smith and Tara Jelley, were able to penetrate the circle and draw Ireland’s keeper, Angela Platt, out of goal, however Platt was able to thwart any shot attempt on net.   

“We were able to try a few different things today,” commented Ireland head coach Riet Kuper.  “We defended very well today and I’m very pleased with that.”

Platt finished the afternoon with five saves in goal for Ireland.  U.S. goalkeepers Peggy Storrar and Jill Dedman both combined for four saves.

            ”We always want to win,” said U.S. head coach Tracy Belbin, “but we tried different things today and I was happy that we stuck to the game plan.   In general, we had the ball more than Ireland, but we didn’t have a single penalty corner in the second half and that’s our forte.”

            The Irish held the U.S. team to just one corner in the first half, shot wide by Jill Reeve.  Ireland managed six penalty corner attempts.

            With the win, Ireland improves its record to 3-0 in round robin play, while the U.S. drops to 2-1.  Despite the loss, the U.S. team advances to tomorrow’s 4:00 p.m. final where the team will once again take on Ireland.

            “We know that tomorrow’s game will be different,” commented Kuper, “especially physically and in speed.”

            “Every day is preparation for the World Cup,” added Belbin, “and that’s what inspires these girls to come out and play.”

Scoring summary:

IRL: Elmear Cregan (fg, 6:00)
IRL: Arlene Boyles (pc, 18:00)
USA: Kim Miller (fg, 33:00)

Keepers: USA: Peggy Storrar (4 saves, 2 GA, 35 min), Jill Dedman (0 saves, 0 GA, 23 min); IRL: Anglea Pratt (5 saves, 1 GA, 70 min)

Cards: Jill Orbison, GC, 62:00

Starters: USA: Mimi Smith, Kim Miller, Kristen McCann, Peggy Storrar (gk),
Tracey Fuchs, Katie Beach, Keli Smith, Carla Tagliente, Jill Reeve, Carrie Lingo, Kate Barber

Subs: Tara Jelley, Melanie Meerschwam, Tracey Larson, Antoinette Lucas, Jill Dedman (gk)