Host United States defeats Canada at Qualifier

April 1, 2010

From FIH

Host USA played Canada on the last match of day five of the ATAHolding Qualifier. The match started with the USA controlling the match flow; and on their offensive end of the pitch. The USA’s Rachel Dawson scored first; off a penalty corner in the 14th minute of play.

The USA continued to hold possession. Canada had one of their best scoring opportunities around the 25th minute, but Katherine Gillis’ shot went just past the goal. With two minutes remaining in the half, Canada earned a penalty corner, but the shot sailed high above the goal cage. With a minute to go, the USA was awarded their own penalty corner; that was blocked by Canada’s keeper, Azelia Liu. The halftime score, the USA 1, Canada nill.

In the second half, play was a bit more back and forth. While the USA was able to penetrate their attacking circle more often, they also struggled to score field goals due to a pesky Canadian defense and great saves by Liu. On one of the USA’s few penalty corners in the half, Dawson gave the USA a two goal lead over Canada in the 47th minute.

Off long balls from their defensive end, Canada had a handful of chances in their attacking third, but Gillis and the Canadian offense couldn’t get the shots to go. In the 65th minute, the USA went ahead three-nill off an interesting play. Sara Silvetti, an offender for the USA, drove the ball at the goal, but it looked to go just right of the goal cage. However, rather than going out of bounds (past the end-line) the ball hit the umpire’s leg and deflected off. Jesse Gey of the USA was there for the rebound and put in the score.

The final five minutes of the match were very physical; and Canada was determined to score. In the final minute, Canada’s Diana Roemer was awarded a penalty stroke. Roemer shot high to the left of the USA’s keeper, Jackie Kintzer, that prevented the USA’s shutout (a 3-nilll score) and made the final score, USA 3, Canada 1.

DNP – Amanda Stone and Krissy Wishart

Here are the stats
3min – USA – PC – shot – save
8min – USA – FP – shot – save
14min – USA – PC – deflection – GOAL – 1-0
20min – USA – FP – shot – save
28min – USA – green card
33min – Can – PC – shot high
34min – USA – PC – save Zee

47min – USA – PC – direct shot – GOAL – 2-0
53min – USA – FP shot – save
56min – USA – PC
64min – USA – FP – shot – save
65min – USA – FP – GOAL – 3-0
70min – CAN – Green Card
70min – CAN – P. Stroke – GOAL – 3-1 – Di Roemer