Ireland Women’s Hockey team tie with the USA over two-game home series ahead of European Championship.
Ireland Women Soccer players attend game 2 to lend their support ahead of World Cup
GAME 2
IRELAND – 2 USA – 1
On the final day of the Ireland- USA series, USA began quickly and forced the pace early on, but Ireland took the lead soon after that through Katie Mullan. Ireland had a penalty corner that didn’t produce a goal but the rest of the first quarter was fairly even with Ireland leading 1-0 at the break.
The second quarter saw the USA come into the game a bit more so it was no surprise when they equalised in the 26th minute the effort gave Liz Murphy no chance.
Kate Mullan fired over the bar two minutes later and it was1-1 at half time.
In the third quarter Ireland Captain Katie Mullan cut into the Circle from the inside left channel and her shot was wide of the far post. USA exerted some pressure but the defence marshalled by Tice stood firm. USA intercepted a sideline hit and Roisín Upton intervened to prevent a shot on goal, but there was no further goals in that quarter.
At the start of the fourth quarter Deirdre Duke’s shot was well saved by the USA goalkeeper. At the other end Ireland goalkeeper Holly Micklem’s kick save prevented another effort from the USA from adding to the scoresheet.
A penalty corner for Ireland in the 54th minute was rifled to the backboard by Roisín Upton to give Ireland a 2-1 lead. Ireland continued to attack in pursuit of another goal with the Americans always dangerous on the counter attack. Ireland had a number of circle entries late on in the quarter but were unable to convert these half chances into goals. Ireland then had to withstand some USA pressure but held out for a 2-1 win.
So the two match series finished honours even with the USA getting the bragging rights in the games against our Development squad on Saturday. Both coaches should be pleased with the workouts each received from their opposition in preparation for their respective challenges this summer.
For Ireland there are the European Championships in Moenchengladbach, Germany this August. Next week USA are in FIH Pro League action in London against Great Britain and the Dutch respectively.
IRELAND WOMEN’S NATIONALTEAM:
Goalkeepers: Elizabeth Murphy (1st half), Holly Micklem (2nd Half)
Defenders: Ellen Curran, Sarah McAuley, Hannah McLoughlin, Caitlin Sherin, Lisa McCarthy, Caoimhe Purdue, Elena Tice, Roisin Upton(VC) ;
Midfielders: Charlotte Beggs, Michelle Carey, Christina Hamill, Sarah Hawkshaw, Katie McKee, Sarah Torrans
Forwards: Niamh Carey, Naomi Carroll, Deirdre Duke, Katie Mullan (C), Síofra O’Brien, Yasmin Pratt
USA WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM SQUAD:
GK : Kelsey Bing, Jenny Rizzo
Defenders: Fusine Govaert, Ally Hammel, Ashley Hoffman (c), Kelly Lepage, Cassie Sumfest, Jillian Wolgemuth, Elizabeth Yeager,
Midfielders: Sanne Carls, Leah Crouse, Brook De Verdine (VC), Emma De Verdine, Amanda Golini (c), Karlie Kisha, Meredith Sholder, Maggie Zimmer
Forwards: Danielle Grega, Megan Rodgers, Hope Rose, Ashley Sessa, ,Abigail Tamer
GAME 1
IRELAND – 2 USA – 3
In the first senior game of the series with the United States, the Ireland senior team, who are preparing for their European Championship finals later this summer in Germany took on the United States. The United States themselves are preparing for the FIH Pro League season which will be commencing shortly and they face a round robin series of games in London shortly with Great Britain and the Netherlands among their opponents.
The USA and Ireland exchanged scores in the first half. Katie Mullan got Ireland on the scoresheet to give Ireland a 1-0 lead. As the visitors were not wearing numbers, or names on their shirts it was impossible to identify the scorer, but left the score 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.
The USA got two further goals either side of half-time scoring three times in all, to go 3-1 ahead. Ireland got another goal through Síofra O’Brien but ended up on the wrong end of 2-3 scoreline. Overall the US were more clinical in terms of capitalising on their chances which ultimately led them to victory.
IRELAND WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM:
Goalkeepers: Holly Micklem, Elizabeth Murphy
Defenders: Ellen Curran, Sarah McAuley, Hannah McLoughli, Caitlin Sherin, Lisa McCarthy, Caoimhe Purdue, Elena Tice, Roisin Upton(VC)
Midfielders: Charlotte Beggs, Michelle Carey, Christina Hamill, Sarah Hawkshaw, Katie McKee, Sarah Torrans
Forwards: Niamh Carey, Naomi Carroll, Deirdre Duke, Katie Mullan (C), Síofra O’Brien, Yasmin Pratt
USA WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Kelsey Bing, Jenny Rizzo
Defenders: Fusine Govaert, Ally Hammel, Ashley Hoffman (c), Kelly Lepage, Cassie Sumfest, Jillian Wolgemuth, Elizabeth Yeager
Midfielders: Sanne Carls, Leah Crouse, Brook De Verdine (VC), Emma De Verdine, Amanda Golini (c), Karlie Kisha, Meredith Sholder, Maggie Zimmer
Forwards: Danielle Grega, Megan Rodgers, Hope Rose, Ashley Sessa, Abigail Tamer
