USA Falls to England, 1-0, at World Cup

PERTH, Australia – The U.S. women’s field hockey team was unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities, as England edged the USA, 1-0, at the FIH Women’s World Cup.

      England’s Lucilla Wright settled a long pass across the circle and shot the ball past USA goalkeeper Peggy Storrar midway through the second half for the game winner.

      “It was disappointing, I thought overall we played pretty well,” said U.S. coach Tracey Belin. “We has one lapse in play and they scored, and that’s a credit to England.”

      The U.S. narrowly missed scoring opportunities in the first half when a diving Kelli Gannon couldn’t reach Kristen McCann’s hard pass across the circle, and Tara Jelley couldn’t get a stick on Tracy Larson’s blast off England goalkeeper Hilary Rose’s pads.

      “We created chances, but weren’t really able to complete them,” said Belbin. “That’s unfortunate, but that’s an area we really need to focus on.”

      The U.S. luckless streak continued into the second half when Antoinette Lucas missed batting in a penalty corner shot, and a Jelley shot headed for the England goal was played off the body of an English defender. The violation prompted appeals for a penalty stroke from the U.S players, but umpire Kazuko Yasueda instead awarded the U.S. the less desirable option, a penalty corner.

      “It was definitely going in,” said U.S. captain Tracey Fuchs. “The goalie was out and the ball was going in. She (umpire Yasueda) said there was a player between her and the goal. But those are the breaks. We still have a game to play.”

      England coach Tricia Heberle, who played as a member of Australia’s national team with Belbin in the mid 80’s, agreed that her team was fortunate a penalty stroke wasn’t called.
      “Actually, at the time I called it a stroke,” said Heberle. “Sometimes they go your way, sometimes they don’t.”

      With the loss the U.S. falls to 2-4 at the 16-team tournament. The team concludes pool play against Pool B leader The Netherlands on Wednesday.

      “We’ve been very competitive in every match,” said Belbin. “It’s just been a lapse here or lapse there. I think the lesson to be learned is that you have to be playing at this level consistently.”

England 1, USA 0

ENG: Lucilla Wright (fg, 54:00)
 
England Starters:  Hilary Rose (GK), Jane Smith, Helen Grant, Anna Bennett, Mandy Nicholson, Kate Walsh, Frances Houslop, Helen Richardson, Rachel Walker, Leisa King, Sarah Blanks

Subs: Jennie Bimson, Denise Marston-Smith, Lucilla Wright, Alex Danson

USA Starters: Peggy Storrar (Mahopac, N.Y., gk), Kristen McCann (Allentown, Pa.), Tracey Fuchs (Centereach, N.Y.), Antoinette Lucas (Richmond, Va.), Katie Beach (West Lawn, Pa.), Keli Smith (Selinsgrove, Pa.), Tara Jelley (Greenfield, Mass), Carrie Lingo (Rehoboth Beach, Del.), Tracey Larson (Morrisville, Pa.)

Subs:: Carla Tagliente (Cortland, N.Y.), Kelli Gannon (Escondido, Calif.),

DNP:  Kim Miller (Virginia Beach), Jill Dedman (Orange, Conn.), Jenny Everett (Rutland, Vt.), Melanie Meerschwam (Princeton, N.J.), Mimi Smith (Virginia Beach, Va.)