WORLD CUP: Defending Champ Australia Downs U.S. , 4-0 , in World Cup Opener

PERTH, Australia – Defending world champion Australia scored three goals in the first 17 minutes to down the U.S. national field hockey team, 4-0, on the opening day of the FIH Women’s World Cup

The Olympic gold medallists, Australia used often spectacular field goals by Kikki Hudson, Katrian Powell and Wendy Acorn in a first half onslaught that put the host team up, 3-0, 17 minutes into the match. Karen Smith concluded the scoring with a penalty corner goal in the 26^th minute to give Australia a 4-0-halftime lead.

“Australia shot very well, and that’s their forte,” said U.S. coach Tracey Belbin. “But, I feel like we really lost it for ourselves in the first 15-20 minutes. We weren’t marking particularly well in the circle. I didn’t think we were outplayed in many places except their attacking 25, and they really made the most of their opportunities. They had a lot of room to move in the circle and that was bad play on our part.”

U.S. keeper Peggy Storrar collected 7 saves, but was often victimized by her own success as Australia promptly netted the rebound.

The U.S. women shutdown Australia in the second half while creating scoring chances of their own in the final 35 minutes. A ball in front of an open net escaped the reach of the USA’s Carla Tagliente while a deflection across the goal line and a chip by Carrie Lingo into the Australian net late in the second half were disallowed following infractions.

“I think our second half was far improved and the fact that we didn’t allow them to score again in the second half was a major step up for us,” said Belbin. “We created a lot of chances for ourselves against one of the top teams in the world and that’s a positive.”

Playing in her 4^th World Cup, U.S. captain Tracey Fuchs agreed. “We can’t start off like that in the first 20 minutes or we aren’t going to be in any game,” said Fuchs.  “We had a lot of chances today and at least four or five corners. If we can clean that up, we’ll be okay.”

In other games in Pool B, Japan and Spain played to a 1-1 draw, while England defeated Ireland, 3-1. The U.S. returns to action Monday against Ireland.

The win was a statement game for Australia who entered the game in the unfamiliar role of trying to regain its status as the world’s dominant team. Australia placed third at this year’s Commonwealth Games and dropped to fourth at the Champions Challenge. Australia captured the last two World Cup titles in 1994 and ’98 and won Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2000.

Australia
AUS: Nikki Hudson (fg, 3:00)
AUS: Katrina Powell (fg, 9:00)
AUS: Wendy Alcorn (fg, 17:00)
AUS: Karen Smith (pc, 26:00)
 
Australia Starters: Louise Dobson, Karen Smith, Wendy Alcorn, Nicole Arnold, Rachel Imison, Carmel Bakurski, Angie Skirving, Melanie Twitt, Sarah Taylor, Katrian Powell, Nikki Hudson

Subs: Ngaire Smith, Peta Ballagher, Susannah Harris, Bianca Netzler, Nina Bonner (gk), , Julie Towers, Tammy Cole

USA Starters: Peggy Storrar (Mahopac, N.Y., gk), Tracey Fuchs (Centereach, N.Y.), Antoinette Lucas (Richmond, Va.), Kate Beach (West Lawn, Pa.), Keli Smith (Selinsgrove, Pa.), Carla Tagliente (Corland, N.Y.), Jill Reeve (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.), Kate Barber (West Chester, Pa.), Kristen McCann (Allentown, Pa.), Tara Jelley (Greenfield, Mass), Carrie Lingo (Rehoboth Beach, Del.)

Subs:: Mimi Smith (Virginia Beach, Va.), Kim Miller (Virginia Beach, Va.), Melanie Meerschwam (Princeton, N.J.), Tracey Larson (Morrisville, Pa.)