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USA
Field Hockey News
USA Field Hockey Women Fall to Defending Champ
Argentina
in World Cup Opener
 MADRID
– Defending
World Cup champion Argentina jumped out to a two-goal first half lead and
held on to defeat the USA Field Hockey women on the opening day of the
Samsung Women’s World Cup.
“We didn’t start well and we paid the price,” said USA coach Lee Bodimeade
after his team gave up a goal in the third minute of play. “We had some
opportunities. We missed an open net and hit the post in the first half and
you have to take advantage of those kind of opportunities if you want to be
a serious contender at the World Cup.”
Winning their tenth straight World Cup match that includes a run to the 2002
championships, Argentina jumped on the USA early when Soledad Garcia scored
on a penalty corner in the third minute. Argentina added to the lead in the
32nd minute when
Magdalena Aicega scored on a penalty corner for a 2-0 Argentina advantage.
The USA got back into the game as time expired in the first half when Kelly
Doton smashed a penalty corner that was deflected high into the air and
landed just inside the Argentina goal.
“Getting that corner goal at the end of the half gave us some belief that,
yes they do belong here and can compete with the best of teams,” Said
Bodimeade. “We had a chance to get all the butterflies out and re-access
what we needed to do at halftime and the girls went out and played. In doing
that, they showed what they can do when they apply themselves.”
The USA grabbed control of the game throughout much of the second half and
silenced the vocal Argentina contingent at Madrid’s Club de Campo. However
the USA could not connect on the equalizer after Tiffany Snow’s shot in
front to the goal mouth was stuffed at the stick and April Fronzoni’s diving
attempt at an Angie Loy pass was kicked away at the last second by sliding
Argentina goalkeeper Mariela Antoniska.
USA goalkeeper Amy Tran kept the USA in the game with a series of saves with
20 minutes remaining in the half when she turned away the Argentina attack
on three consecutive penalty corner attempts.
The USA (0-1) will not turn its attention to Australia, a 1-0 first-day
winner over South Africa.
“We have a lot of girls playing in their first World Cup,” said Bodemeade on
his team’s baptism into World Cup play. “I’m sure we’ll be better for it.”
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