USA Field Hockey News

Australia Tops USA Field Hockey Women, 4-2

	Sara Silvetti collects the ball in the USA's 4-2 loss to Australia Photo by John Radd

Virginia Beach, Va. – The USA Field Hockey national team saw an early two goal lead once again vanish as Australia scored four consecutive goals to top the host squad, 4-2, in game three of the four game series at the USA National Training Center.

For the second time in the series, the world's No. 3 ranked Australians fought back from a two goal deficit. The Aussies fell behind by two goals in the second half of game one before settling for a 3-3 draw. Australia won game two of the series, 4-0.

Like the first game, the USA attacked the Australians from the opening whistle and quickly forged a 2-0 lead. Kelly Doton (Greenfield, Mass.) scored her first international goal at the five minute mark and Tiffany Snow (Escondido, Calif.) scored her third goal of the series on a penalty stroke past Olympic goalkeeper Rachel Imison two minutes later to give the USA the early advantage.

The lead was short lived however as Susie Faulker connected on a field goal on Australia's next possession, and Susannah Harris added a penalty corner goal in the 29th minute to tie the game at halftime.

Australia continued its attack into the second half as Fiona Johnson gave her team the lead in the 48th minute and Karen Smith added an insurance goal with five minutes to play to give Australia the victory.

The series is serving as a tune-up for coach Lee Bodimeade's USA team before the squad hosts England, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain at the Rabobank Champions Challenge, July 8-16 at the USA National Training Center in Virginia Beach.

The series with Australia concludes with game four at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Australia 4, USA 2

USA: Kelly Doton (PC, 5:00)
USA: Tiffany Snow (PS, 7:00)
AUS: Suzie Faulkner (FG, 9:00)
AUS: Susannah Harris (PC, 29:00)
AUS: Fiona Johnson (48:00)
AUS: Karen Smith (FG, 65:00)


USA Starters: Melissa Leonetti, Angie Loy, Kelly Doton, Robyn Kenney, Kristen Holmes-Winn, Sara SIlvetti, Carrie Lingo, Calire Laubach, Kaate Barber, Dina Rizzo, Amy Tran (GK)

Reserves:Tara Jelley, Sarah Dawson, Kelly Dostal, Rachel Dawson

Australia Starters: Suzie Faulkner, Susannah Harris, Rebecca Sanders, Emily Halliday, Nicole Arnold, Kobie McGurk, Rachel Imison (GK), Donna-Lee Patrick, Melanie Twitt, Ursula Ditton, Sarah Taylor

Reserves: Karen Smith, Megan Rivers, Fiona Johnson, Angie Skirving, Teneal Attard

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

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