USA Field Hockey News

USA Field Hockey Women Upsets No. 2 Argentina; Netherlands tops Australia at  AstroTurf March on Madrid Tournament

Kelly Doton celebrates her second goal of the game in the USA's 2-1 win over rival Argentina at the  AstroTurf March on Madrid

COLLEGE PARK, Md.  – The USA Field Hockey women upset world No. 2 ranked Argentina, 2-1, and The Netherlands topped Australia, 2-1 to end the first round of play at the AstroTurf March on Madrid Four Nation Tournament.

The tournament now shifts to Virginia Beach, Va. for the second round of the double-round-robin tournament with matches scheduled for Aug, 23, 24 and 26. The championship and consolation games are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 27 in Virginia Beach.

The games serve as a prelude for the four teams on their way to the Samsung Women’s World Cup, Sept. 27-Oct. 8 in Madrid, Spain.

USA 2, Argentina 1

Kelly Doton and Angie Loy scored goals to lift the USA to a 2-1 win over long-time Pan American rival Argentina. The win was the USA’s first over Argentina since 1990.

The win puts the USA in a second place tie in with Argentina in the tournament standings with 1-1-1 (4 points) records behind first place Netherlands (2-0-1, 7 points).

“We’re continuing down the path of progression,” said U.S. coach Lee Bodimeade. “We’re focusing on the process rather than the result. But results like this is a good indication that the process is right on track.”

For the third straight game, the USA got on the scoreboard first when Doton drove in a direct hit off a penalty corner in the fourth minute to give the USA a quick 1-0 lead.

Argentina continued to test the USA defense and goalkeeper Amy Tran and were finally rewarded when Luciana Aymar connected on a hard hit high into the USA goal in the 30^th minute to send the game into halftime tied, 1-1.

The USA struck quickly in the second half when Angie Loy re-directed a penalty corner shot past Argentina goalkeeper Laura Aladro for the eventual game-winner.

In addition to their Aug. 24 re-match in the AstroTurf  March on Madrid, the two familiar rivals will see each other again on the opening day of the World Cup, Sept. 27 in Madrid.

“I’m really proud of this team and everyone involved – the team work, heart and desire,” said USA captain Kate Barber on her team’s first win over Argentina in 16 years. “This has been a combination of hard work over the last year and a half. We’re still growing. We set the standard high and we hope to take these lessons with us to the World Cup.”

The Netherlands 2, Australia 1

Top-ranked The Netherlands scored two first half goals and held on to down No. 4  Australia, 2-1.

With the win, The Netherlands remains unbeaten through the first round of play with a 2-0-1 (7 points)  record while Australia falls to 0-2-1 (1 point).

The Dutch jumped out to an early  1-0 advantage when Sylvia Karras slammed in an entry pass past Australian goalkeeper Rachel Lynch in the 14^th minute.  Minke Booij added to the total 20 minutes later when she put in a direct corner strike for a 2-0 halftime lead.

Australia avoided the shutout when Donna Lee Patrick hit a reverse stick flick over Dutch goalkeeper Lisanne De Roever in the 68^th minute.

“This was out best game so far of the tournament,” said Netherlands coach Marc Lammers. “We played much better. We played the ball quicker and with better pace and out defending was much better than the first two games.”

The Netherlands opens the second round of play on Wednesday against Argentina while Australia will meet the USA when the tournament resumes in Virginia Beach.

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