Ireland Beaten by USA in FIH Champions Challenge

Ireland played in their final pool match today against the USA losing out 3-1 seeing them through to the quarters to play against Belgium on Thursday at 6pm.

Ireland opened the initial ten of the match dominating play scoring early on when Atcheler converted at the back post from a set piece in the 6th minute. Ireland continued to play with flair and confidence forcing the USA defence into action on a number of occasions including a number of penalty corners. Ireland went close in the 21st minute when Katie Mullan and Anna O'Flanagan combined well to threaten but the goal evaded them. Despite dominating much of the first half Ireland had to keep focussed at the back keeping out a number of American penalty corner attempts. Ireland had a great chance to go ahead securing a penalty corner on the hooter but the effort was saved Kintzer in goals.

Ireland were forced to defend two consecutive penalty corners early in the eighth minute but defended well to keep their lead intact. But the USA equalised when Taylor deflected home Pfeiffer's drag effort tying it with 22 minutes left. Ireland continued to knock at the door, including when the USA was reduced to 9, with chances a plenty through penalty corners and some flashy outfield play with chances for O'Flanagan and Mullan - Mullan's whose goal was disallowed as it came off her knee before batting it home.

The USA made sure of a victory and a pairing against Wales in the quarters when they secured two more goals Pfeiffer getting on the end diving in for the touch and the third coming from Crandal finishing off Laubauch's drag flick.

Commenting after the game Coach Pritchard said "Undoubtedly a bitter pill to take having played as well as we did for extended spells of the game. Tournament hockey is an emotional roller coaster with which players and management have to deal. This will pay dividends in the long run, it will make us mentally stronger."