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USA Wins International Atlantic Cup With
Extra Time Win Over Ireland
Playing to a 2-2 tie at the end of regulation in the championship game, the U.S was awarded the lone penalty corner of the extra time in the 84th minute. Mimi Smith’s pass to Katie Beach for the stick stop was misplayed with Fuchs attempting to salvage a shot on the Ireland net. “We had a set play,” said Fuchs of the penalty corner. “It was a mis-push. I was trying to get something at goal, whether it was to draw Ireland’s goalie out or get it to another teammate. Fortunately for me, the ball went in." The U.S. team was able to answer every Irish attack throughout the game. Ireland was the first team to light up the scoreboard as Lynsey McVicker carried a rebound of a penalty corner shot by the U.S. down most of the length of the right side of the field. She rounded the corner and in a cluster of players fired off a shot that landed in the left corner of the net to give Ireland a 1-0 lead at the 24th minute Fuchs tied the game at 1-1 early in the second stanza on the first of her two goals of the afternoon. However, Ireland regained the lead three minutes later as Elmear Cregan lifted the ball into the cage from the right side of the circle. Mimi Smith tied the game in regulation giving the U.S. a goal at the 51st minute, taking the ball from the top of the circle to the right side and drilling her shot across the cage into the left corner. “Winning is a result of the process,” said U.S. head coach Tracy Belbin on her team’s victory. “You always want to win, but we came out here to improve. The outcome was a result of us improving with each game. This win was a huge team effort.” The U.S. outshot Ireland 5-2 and also came way with the advantage in penalty corners, 6-1. In net, Ireland’s Tara Brown finished with three saves, while the U.S. defense worked hard in keeping Ireland’s offense from reaching U.S. keeper Peggy Storrar. The U.S. finishes competition at International Atlantic Cup with a 3-1 record, while Ireland also closed out play with a 3-1 mark. Scotland defeated Mexico, 10-0, to earn the third place spot at the tournament. Scoring summary: IRL: Lynsey McVicker (fg, 24:00) Keepers: USA: Peggy Storrar (0 saves, 2 GA, 70:00); IRL: Tara Browne (3 saves, 3 GA, 70:00) Cards: IRE: GC- Rachel Kohler – 42:00; IRE: GC- Jill Orbison – 82:00 Starters: USA: Mimi
Smith, Kim Miller, Kristen McCann, Peggy Storrar (gk), Subs: Kate Barber, Melanie Meerschwam, Kelli Gannon, Keli Smith, Tracey Fuchs IRL: Angela Platt (gk), Arlene Boyles, Jenny Burke, Linda Caulfield, Rachel Kohler, Pamela McGill, Claire McMahon, Jill Orbison, Daphne Sixsmith, Linda O’Neill Subs: Karen Humphreys, Elmear Cregan, Ciara O’Brien, Linda O’Neill www.usfieldhockey.com |
United States captain Tracey Fuchs lifted the U.S. National Field Hockey
team to the International Atlantic Cup Tournament Title after netting the golden goal in
extra time for a 3-2 victory over Ireland at the U.S. Training Facility in Virginia Beach,
Va.