Ireland 0 vs 3 USA Match Report Women's National Hockey Team

After a weather delayed start, the U.S. Women's National Team prevailed through rainy conditions to secure at 3-0 victory over Ireland in their first test match of the preparatory series.
With the first ten minutes of the first quarter generating even play, Team USA produced their first penalty corner of the game in the 12th minute. Julia Reinprecht found the back of the goal on a reverse deflection fed from the top to score, USA 1, IRL 0.

A quick start for the USWNT in the second quarter led to three penalty corners in a row. Ireland was quick to answer with a penalty corner of their own but the call was reversed after the play was reviewed and the ball hit an Irish foot inside the circle.

Ireland grabbed their first true penalty corner of the game in the 25th minute of play after some quick passing and a break through the middle. USA defended well and their counter attack led to their fifth penalty corner. Emma Gray made several fantastic saves and Katie Mullan cleared the ball off the line but Kat Sharkey made it 2-0 to America 2 minutes before half time.
Coming out of the whistle to start the third quarter, Ireland had a spark of attack and found their rhythm in very wet and stormy conditions. Nicci Daly made several breaks through the centre of the pitch but both team's defence's held strong as the third quarter wound down.

In the final quarter of play, Team USA grabbed another penalty corner. Emma Gray made 2 great saves but Sharkey capitalized on a rebounded ball that she put in the back of the net in the 47th minute to make the score USA 3, IRL 0. Ireland held the momentum for the remainder of the quarter but was unable to break the USA defence.
Match 2 of the series takes places at 11:30pm tonight and will be live streamed from this link http://www.teamusa.org/~/link.aspx?_id=F86CBF39DC7F48729AC3AEB215E64E09&_z=z

Gray (GK) Emma
Sargent Cliodhna
Smyth Emma
Brown Chloe
Evans Nicola
Mullan Katie
McCay Shirley
Frazer (Capt) Megan
Carroll Naomi
Pinder Gillian
Connery Aine
McFerran (GK) Ayeisha
Watkins Chloe
Colvin Lizzie
Daly Nicola
Matthews Hannah
O Flanagan Anna
Dillon Kate