USA snatch bonus point in shootout win over Hockeyroos
Published Wed 01 Mar 2023
An incredible goalkeeping display from USA goalkeeper Kelsey Bing has guided the stars and stripes to a 3-1 shootout victory over the Hockeyroos in the FIH Pro League at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre.
After defeating world number two Argentina 2-0 just 24 hours earlier, a young Hockeyroos side were stonewalled by Bing and her determined defensive group at every turn as neither team could find a goal in regulation time.
The Hockeyroos applied all the pressure in the early exchanges with second gamer Abby Wilson, Hannah Cullum-Sanders and Grace Young all giving glimpses to the future.
Renee Taylor and Wilson looked threatening from five first half penalty corner efforts, but each time it was Bing that thwarted their efforts to break the deadlock.
A hamstring injury to Hockeyroos captain Grace Stewart midway through the second term ended her night’s involvement.
Hockeyroos goalkeeper Aleisha Power was called into action to deny a USA tomahawk chance in the third term as the Hockeyroos pushed forward looking for a winner.
Greta Hayes and Shanea Tonkin both had late opportunities to secure a winner, but Bing would not be denied and went into the shootout full of confidence.
The Hockeyroos got the shootout off to the perfect start with Cullum-Sanders converting, while Kelee Lepage failed to convert for the USA.
Enter Bing, the Adelaide Fire import that starred during Hockey One, who first cleared Wilson’s effort when it unfortunately rebounded off the post, before denying Tonkin and Young.
Conversions from USA teammates Leah Crouse, Ashley Sessa and Charlotte De Vries earned the visitors the bonus point.
“We had some good opportunities but their keeper made some great saves,” said Hockeyroos midfielder Amy Lawton.
“It was an arm wrestle and unfortunately for us they came out in front in the shootout. We’ll look to improve for the next game on Friday.”
“Pleasingly we haven’t conceded a goal in regulation time yet in this series. Our defence is doing an amazing job, so hopefully we can keep that up and use it to progress forward and create more opportunities at the other end of the pitch.”
Match Details
Hockeyroos 0
USA 0
USA wins shootout 3-1
@ Tasmanian Hockey Centre
Hockeyroos: 1.Claire Colwill, 4.Amy Lawton, 5.Grace Young, 6.Penny Squibb, 7.Aleisha Power (gk), 8.Georgia Wilson, 9.Shanea Tonkin, 11.Meg Pearce, 12.Greta Hayes, 13.Hattie Shand, 21.Renee Taylor, 24.Mariah Williams, 28.Hannah Cullum-Sanders, 29.Rebecca Greiner, 30.Grace Stewart, 35.Maddison Brooks, 44.Abby Wilson
Unused substitute: 41.Zoe Newman (gk)
