Scotland defeat USA by 3-1 in ESB Electric Ireland FIH Champions Challenge I
The Women’s hockey team of Scotland emerged victorious over USA by 3-1 in the Day-Two game of the ESB Electric Ireland FIH Champions Challenge I that took place in Dublin on June 19, 2011.
The legendary players from Scotland displayed impressive performance, scored three goals against the one of their competitors and improved their position in the mega event.
Lee Bodimeade, the head coach of USA field hockey team, said that though they felt disappointment, but doors are still open to go ahead. He stated, “There is some frustration and disappointment in the group, but the format of the tournament means it is not
the end of the road for us.”
It was a fine chilly day in Dublin when both squads entered the field with great confidence. However, it was the USA team that established their dominance in the early minutes of the first half. With to end-to-end attacks, the USA women succeeded to earn
their first goal of the match in the 9th minute of the game. Katie O’Donnell managed to take the ball at the top of the circle and struck a powerful shot into the Scottish goal-post.
Following the first goal from USA, the players from Scotland started more aggressive style of play in search of an equaliser. The defending girls from USA were not sitting inactively. As a result of the fast and furious game, the Scottish side earned a short-corner
in the 17th minute and tested Nikki Kidd. She executed a well-organised shot that moved absolutely into the USA goal-post. Amy Tran-Swenson, the custodian of the USA, did not find any chance to stop the ball.
The Scotland squad earned another short-corner in the waning seconds of the first round, but failed to capitalise it. Despite back-to-back attacks from the two teams, they could not make an addition onto the score-board and first half of play concluded at
1-1.
The USA team was not quite impressive in the second half of play as compared to the first one where they carried out fast breaking attacks. In the first minute of the second half, the Scottish women made a penetration and this time Sam Judge pushed the ball
into the goal.
In the very next minutes the USA had a wonderful opportunity to level the score, but to no avail. After both the teams missed plenty of chances, Ali Bell of Scotland converted another short-corner in the 67th minute and extended the lead to two
goals. With the whistle blow, the Scottish team succeeded to maintain its victorious streak. With a couple of victories in hands, Scotland is currently sitting on top at the point chart.
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