US and Japan finish even in the third match of the women series
The American Senior women national team concluded the third match of the five Test series against Japan with a tie at 1-1. This match was played on April 26 at the Olympic Training Centre in Chula Vista, California.
In the first half, the match was inaugurated by the US women with the opening score in the fourth minute of the match. This goal was capitalised by Katie O'Donnell, when she hit a shot past the goal-keeper into the goal.
This goal was soon responded by Japan with a counter-attack made in the very next minute of the US goal. The Japanese attempted a hit that failed to be denied by the American goal-keeper, Jackie Kintzer, levelling the scores at 1-1.
The first half got concluded with no more additions to the scoreboard at 1-1.
In the second half, both the teams were found struggling for winning the lead point in order to release the locked up score. However, despite a few potential chances, both the teams failed to break the knot and the match ended in a draw at 1-1 for both Japan
and US.
At the end of the day, the US women Head Coach Lee Bodimeade commented, "We had a nice, tough contest today and it didn't come as a surprise to us that Japan would be ready to play today. We were pleased with the overall game and the opportunity we had for
a number of our younger players to get some international experience against a team like Japan. It was a great learning experience for us."
One of the US squad members Pam Spuehler also added, "As a younger player myself, I felt that we all gained a lot of experience and persisted through the challenges that Japan brought to the pitch today. I think that we can use this game as a stepping stone
for the rest of the series and realize that we're able to overcome these challenges and be successful."
The rest of the two matches of the Japan series are scheduled to be played on April 27 and 29 at the same venue located at 2800 Olympic Parkway, Chula Vista.
The US Senior national team playing the series comprise of Torrie Albini, Caroline Nichols, Melanie Brill, Carrie Lingo, Claire Laubach, Jackie Kintzer, Kelly Driscoll, Katelyn Smither, Katie O'Donnell, Kayla Bashore-Smedley, Katie Evans, Lauren Crandall,
Lauren Pfeiffer, Michelle Kasold, Maren Ford, Pam Spuehler, Rachel Dawson, Brianna Davies, Shannon Taylor, Melissa Gonzalez, Michelle Vittese and Paige Selenski.
The Japanese Senior women national team to play the series against US consist of Izuki Tanaka, Nane Ozawa, Miyuki Nakagawa, Misato Katamine, Akane Shibata, Keiko Manabe, Masako Sato, Rika Komazawa, Sakiyo Asano, Sachimi Iwoa, Aki Mitsuhasi, Ai Murakami,
Kana Nomura, Shiho Sakai, Akiko Ota, Chie Akutsu, Nagisa Hayashi, Yukari Yamamoto and Shiho Otsuka.
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