USA Field Hockey News

USA Women Fall to Australia, 4-0, in Game Two of Series

Virginia Beach, Va. – Australia's offense received goals from four different players to top the USA women's field hockey team, 4-0 in the second test match of a four-game series at the USA Field Hockey National Training Center.

After playing to a 3-3 draw with the USA on Saturday's first game of the series, Australia reestablished its position as the world's No. 3 ranked team.

"Australia came out a little sharper than they did on the first test," said USA manager Steve Jennings on Australia's win. "Unfortunately for us we has some errors in some facets of the game and let them jump out on top. We did created lots of offensive opportunities and that's something we can build on. We'll be ready to get in and get it going again on Wednesday."

A former standout on the U.S. men's team, Jennings also serves as the head field hockey coach at American University.

Australia opened the scoring five minutes into the game when Megan Rivers connected on a field goal for a quick 1-0 Aussie lead. Susannah Harris added another field goal past U.S. keeper Barb Weinberg (Louisville, Ky.) to give the visitors a 2-0 halftime lead.

Australia continued the scoring four minutes into the second half when Sarah Taylor collected her second goal of the series off a penalty corner before team captain Melanie Twitt concluded the scoring in the 60th minute on a field goal.

USA head coach Lee Bodimeade continued to experiment with his roster to help identify the team to represent the USA at next month's Rabobank Champions Challenge. Scheduled for July 8-16, the six-team tournament features England, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain and the USA.

Sunday's USA line-up included the first senior team international appearances for Kelsey Keeran (Columbus, Ohio) and USA junior team member Rachel Dawson (Berlin, N.J.).

The series with Australia continues on Wednesday with game three scheduled for 6 p.m. at the USA Field Hockey National Training Center.

Australia 4, USA 0

AUS: Megan Rivers (FG, 6:00)
AUS: Susannah Harris (FG, 23:00)
AUS: Sarah Taylor (PC, 39:00)
AUS: Mealnie Twitt (FG, 60:00)


USA Starters: Kelly Doton, Tara Jelley, Lauren Crandall, Kristen Holmes-Winn, Sarah Dawson, Tiffany Snow, Kelly Dostal, Barb Weinberg (GK), Carrie Lingo, Dina Rizzo, Lauren Powley

Reserves: Sara Silvetti, Kelsey Keeran, Katie O'Donnell, Rachel Dawson

Australia Starters: Toni Cronk (GK), Karen Smith, Emily Halliday, Nicole Arnold, Kobie McGurk, Fiona Johnson, Donna-Lee patrick, Angie Skirving, Teneal Attard, Sarah Taylor

Reserves: Susannah Harris, Rebecca Sanders, Madonna Blyth, Melanie Twitt

Cards: USA Tara Jelley (G, 23:00); AUS: Kobie McGurk (G, 30:00)

Umpires: Lurah Hess (USA), Melissa Trivic (AUS)
 

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