Ireland women's senior hockey team ended their two-game home series with the USA with a tie. The nail-biting matches saw the USA win the first game 3-2 while Ireland bounced back in the second game to win 2-1.
The series came in preparation for the European Championship, which Ireland will participate in later this summer in Germany. The United States themselves are preparing for the FIH Pro League season which will be commencing shortly and they face a round robin series of games in London shortly with Great Britain and the Netherlands among their opponents.
The games begin...#IrelandWomenvUSA pic.twitter.com/E4F3YF9mjZ
— Hockey Ireland (@irishhockey) June 12, 2023
The first match saw USA and Ireland exchanged scores in the first half. Katie Mullan got Ireland on the scoresheet to give Ireland a 1-0 lead. As the visitors were not wearing numbers, or names on their shirts it was impossible to identify the scorer, but left the score 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.
The USA got two further goals either side of half-time scoring three times in all, to go 3-1 ahead. Ireland got another goal through Síofra O’Brien but ended up on the wrong end of 2-3 scoreline. Overall the US were more clinical in terms of capitalising on their chances which ultimately led them to victory.
On the final day of the Ireland - USA series, USA began quickly and forced the pace early on, but Ireland took the lead soon after that through Katie Mullan. Ireland had a penalty corner that didn’t produce a goal but the rest of the first quarter was fairly even with Ireland leading 1-0 at the break.
The second quarter saw the USA come into the game a bit more so it was no surprise when they equalised in the 26th minute the effort gave Liz Murphy no chance.
Mullan fired over the bar two minutes later and it was 1-1 at half time.
In the third quarter Ireland Captain Katie Mullan cut into the Circle from the inside left channel and her shot was wide of the far post. USA exerted some pressure but the defence marshalled by Tice stood firm. USA intercepted a sideline hit and Roisín Upton intervened to prevent a shot on goal, but there was no further goals in that quarter.
At the start of the fourth quarter Deirdre Duke’s shot was well saved by the USA goalkeeper. At the other end Ireland goalkeeper Holly Micklem’s kick save prevented another effort from the USA from adding to the scoresheet.
A penalty corner for Ireland in the 54th minute was rifled to the backboard by Roisín Upton to give Ireland a 2-1 lead. Ireland continued to attack in pursuit of another goal with the Americans always dangerous on the counter attack. Ireland had a number of circle entries late on in the quarter but were unable to convert these half chances into goals. Ireland then had to withstand some USA pressure but held out for a 2-1 win.
The series also saw Ireland's u/21 Development team take on the USA national team in a six game, 10 minutes per match, mini series of matches on Saturday (10 June) at the National Stadium in Belfield. The first game was a tightly fought 0-0 draw. The second was a similarly close affair which also ended scoreless. Ireland had been awarded two penalty corners in the first few games, neither of which they converted.
USA women's national team took on an Irish Under 21 development squad in a six game 10 minutes per match mini series of matches today at the National Stadium in Belfield.
Match report in bio ☝️
Catch the Senior Women v USA games next week- tickets on https://t.co/NLLCubKcM3 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OE7jL64mIw— Hockey Ireland (@irishhockey) June 10, 2023
In Game 3 the USA took an early lead following a penalty corner. And this game ended in a 1-0 win for the visitors. With a few changes in personnel from the first few matches younger more inexperienced players were given a chance to perform. The USA clicked into over drive in the remaining games of the day.
Game 4 was also won by the visitors with a goal from open play. Another 1-0 victory which meant the USA were 2-0 ahead in the series going into the final two games. In Game 5, two goals from open play were enough to secure a series win for the Americans. The game finished 2-0 and meant with three wins the US could not be caught,
And in game 6, the final game, saw Ireland create their best goal chance from open play early which unfortunately did not go in. Ireland managed to force a penalty corner near the end of game 6. The goalkeeper saved the penalty corner and the umpire awarded a free hit to the USA.
Both the USA and Ireland were able to receive a good challenge from their opposition in preparation for their respective challenges this summer.
IRELAND WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM:
Goalkeepers: Elizabeth Murphy (1st half), Holly Micklem (2nd Half)
Defenders: Ellen Curran, Sarah McAuley, Hannah McLoughlin, Caitlin Sherin, Lisa McCarthy, Caoimhe Purdue, Elena Tice, Roisin Upton(VC) ;
Midfielders: Charlotte Beggs, Michelle Carey, Christina Hamill, Sarah Hawkshaw, Katie McKee, Sarah Torrans
Forwards: Niamh Carey, Naomi Carroll, Deirdre Duke, Katie Mullan (C), Síofra O’Brien, Yasmin Pratt
IRELAND UNDER 21 DEVELOPMENT WNT:
Goalkeepers: Aoife Glennon, Holly Micklem
Defenders: Lucy Craig, Lucy Crowe, Ellen Curran (c) Erin Getty, Lucy Mackay, Katie-Jane Marshall, Emma Paul, Ellen Reid
Midfielders: Christina Hamill, Emily Kealy, Sarah Kirgin, Caoimhe Perdue, Lisa McCarthy, Lisa Mulcahy
Forwards: Rachel Kelly, Lily Lloyd, Síofra O’Brien, Yasmin Pratt, Sarah Torrans
