USA shocks Ireland by 3-1 to ride into FIH Champions Challenge I
Shannon Taylor scored two goals, as the women’s field hockey team of USA marked a convincing 3-1 win over the talented Ireland and confirmed a spot in the semi-final stage of the ESB Electric Ireland FIH Champions Challenge I that took place at the University
College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland on June 23, 2011.
It was a quite shocking victory for Ireland, as the lowest team of Pool-A defeated top squad of the Pool-B. In the way to knockout stage, USA lost two games and ended one match in a draw, while opponent Ireland had two victories and one draw.
The Irish coach ahead of the fixture expressed that they wanted to evade the US team in the quarter-final competition. At last Gene Muller's apprehension, the Irish trainer, proved true and they lost the game by two goals, 3-1.
Women’s hockey coach of USA, Lee Bodimeade, while speaking to the media said, “We understand we have to win the next two games and we are looking forward to the contest against Scotland. Our performance was leading us to this stage of the competition.”
USA and Ireland entered the field with an aim to win a place in the medal round. Though the host side has the advantage of the spectators and as well the previous results, they could not show their worth in the first half.
With to-and-fro strikes, the Americans dominated the field and created many chances in the opening round. Shannon Taylor took the ball under her control and made a lengthy run on the field to chip it into the Irish goal in the 14th minute. Soon
after the six minutes, she played a well-coordinated shot from top of the circle and doubled the tally, 2-0. However, it was the only offence from the two sides in the first 35 minute of period.
After a little rest, the Irish women started the game quite confidently in order to make a comeback into the game. However, the USA women, within two minutes into the play, further expanded the lead up to three goals. Rachel Dawson notched a goal from the
field efforts and put her team in the way to win.
It seemed that the Americans wanted to whitewash the Ireland. They were playing very cautious game and were not in mood to make any mistake that would give the opponents a chance to return into the match. Audrey O’Flynn scored off a short-corner in the 48th
minute of the match and reduced the lead down to two goals. However, it was the final effort from the two line-ups and USA women rode away the field with a 3-1 triumph.
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