USA, Ireland Earn Wins in Day One of International Atlantic Cup

Virginia Beach, Va.. - The U.S. women’s national field hockey team held on for a 2-1 victory over Scotland, while Ireland slammed Mexico, 9-0, in the first day of action at the International Atlantic Cup at U.S. Field Hockley’s National Training Center in Virginia Beach.
      The four-nation tournament continues on Thursday with Ireland taking on Scotland at 2 p.m. followed by the USA against Mexico at 4 p.m. Round-robin play concludes on Saturday with the final and consolation game slated for Sunday.

      “We didn’t play particularly well today,” said U.S. coach Tracey Belbin whose team took the field in international competition for the first time since defeating India for a World Cup berth in June. “We have to be more patient and composed with the ball. We did what we had to do today, but we could have been better.”

      The U.S. took a 1-0 lead into halftime following a Jill Reeve (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.) blast off a penalty corner in the 26^th minute. Tracey Fuch’s (Centereach, N.Y.) extended the lead with a corner conversion just minutes into the second half. Scotland narrowed the margin to 2-1 on Cheryl Valentine’s field goal at the 52 minute mark, and tested U.S. keeper Peggy Storrar (Mahopac, N.Y.) throughout the second half. Storrar collected six saves on the day and survived a late flurry of Scotland shots in the final minutes of the game.

      “It was disappointing,” said Scotland coach Mike Gilbert on the loss. “We didn’t take some chances that we should have.”

In the first game, Ireland dominated Mexico on the way to a 9-0 victory. Lynsey McVicker collected three goals and Arlene Boyles and Jenny Burke added two each as Ireland pounded the young Mexican team with 22 shots and 21 penalty corner opportunities. Ireland goalkeepers Tara Browne and Angela Platt enjoyed uneventful shifts in the Ireland cage as Mexico was held without a shot through the 70 minutes of play. Mexico keeper Mirna Garcia made 15 saves on the day.

Ireland, Scotland and the U.S. will use the Atlantic Cup as a tune up for the World Cup, Nov. 24-Dec. 8 in Perth, Australia.

Ireland 9, Mexico 0

IRL: Lynsey McVicker (fg, 2:00)
IRL: Jenny Burke (pc, 7:00)
IRL: Jenny Burke (fg, 9:00)
IRL: Daphne Sixsmith (pc, 24:00)
IRL: Arlene Boyles (pc, 31:00)
IRL: Arlene Boyles (PC, 35:00)
IRL: Lynsey McVicker (pc, 39:00)
IRL: Claire McMahon (pc, 57:00)
IRL: Lynsey McVicker (fg, 65:00)

Ireland starters: Tara Browne (gk), Arlene Boyles, Jenny Burke, Rachel Kohler, Laura Lee, Claire McMahon, Lynsey McVicker, Ciara O’Brien, Jill Orbison, Daphne Sixsmith, Katherine Maybin

Subs: Anglea Platt (gk), Elmear Cregan, Karen Humphreys, Pamela Magill, Linda O’Brien

Mexico starters: Mirna Garcia (gk), Tadriana Tagle, Irma Hernandez, Mayra Perez, Dafne Sandoval, Sonia Alvarez, Yessica Zepeda, Beatriz Guzman, Yadira Vazquez, Maria Rayo Chavez, Erica Contreras

Subs: Silvia Pichardo, Monica Monroy, Azuncena Martinez, Veranelly Valero

USA 2, Scotland 1
USA: Jill Reeve (Pc, 26:00)
USA: Tracey Fuchs (pc, 37:00)
SCO: Cheryl Valentine (fg, 52:00)

Scotland Starters: Tracey Robb (gk), Louise Gordon, Helen Walker, Audrey Lonmuir, Jane Burley, Alison Rowatt, Alison Grant, Alisa Young, Cheryl Valentine, Louise Carroll, Linda Clement

Subs: Samantha Judge, Calire Lampard, Cath Stirling, Emma Rochin, Vikki Bunce.

USA Starters: Mimi Smith, Peggy Storrar (gk), Kelli Gannon, Tracey Fuchs, Antoinette Lucas, Kaite Beach, Jenny Everett, Keli Smith, Carla Tagliente, Jill Reeve, Kate Barber

Subs: Kim Miller, Kristen McCAnn, Tara Jelley, Tracey Larson, Carrie Lingo