U.S. Olympic Women’s Field Hockey Team Captures Fourth Straight Victory Earning a Total of 12 Event Points

Photo Credit: TeamUSA Field Hockey

DEODORO, Brazil - They shook hands after a draw in Lancaster, Pa. knowing all too well it wasn’t over; there was more to the story. Only a few weeks before the Olympic Games during the Citi Rio Send-Off Series, India and the U.S. Olympic Women’s Field Hockey Team’s walked away with one win apiece. The moment to prove who has enough gusto to edge out the other was revealed on the ultimate stage at the Deodoro Olympic Park under the spotlight of watchful eyes of those in the stadium stands and those glued to their television sets at home. Keeping match tempo in fifth gear, Team USA drove hard, engines at full tilt for 60 minutes to leave the pitch as victors with a goal line 3-0. The missing element between the Citi Rio Send-Off Series and the Olympic Games? USWNT dynamite defender and captain Lauren Crandall (Doylestown, Pa.). A key contributor in the backfield and leadership, Crandall was out recovering and prepping in the weeks leading up to Rio. Now, rejoining the team, the United States is the strongest it has ever been.

"It was an advantage to be up in the stands watching those 120 minutes of hockey," said
Crandall. "I got to watch a lot of their forward movement and noticed what made me frustrated while watching. India took a lot of tempo out of the game when we were in Lancaster. That's something I noticed and it kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to give that energy to the game. Tonight, I encouraged my teammates to bring the tempo and urgency back to the game." 



Off the pushback, Team USA found entry into their attacking circle when Kelsey Kolojejchick (Larksville, Pa.) sent a ball across the goalmouth with no result. USA continued to keep possession looking for the open forward lanes. In the fourth minute, India broke into their attacking 25 but was met by Crandall whose solid defense came up with the interception and clear. USA continued to work the ball up field into their offensive circle when Katelyn Falgowski (Landenberg, Pa.) maneuvered through a maze of India’s defenders and dished the ball to Katie Bam (Blue Bell, Pa.) who reversed it into the net to make it USA 1, India 0 at the 14th minute mark.


Eager at the start of the second quarter, Kolojejchick drove down the right baseline and dumped the ball at stroke mark to a waiting Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.) who one timed the ball just wide of the goal. A close opportunity came moments later when Kat Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.) broke through open space and threaded the ball forward to Melissa Gonzalez (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.) who crossed it to Witmer. Witmer's redirect was saved by India’s goalkeeper Savita. India quickly countered down the field and India’s forward weaved between two USA defenders and ripped a backhand shot off that redirected into the goal off her own player's body to result in a no goal. USA responded instantly taking it to the other end of the pitch and earned their first penalty corner at the 20 minute mark. Back-to-back opportunities for Team USA finished with Rachel Dawson’s (Berlin, N.J.) drag flick going wide of the cage. USA kept working hard looking to extend the lead and grabbed another penalty corner in the 23rd minute. India requested a video referral on the play but an inconclusive umpire decision meant the corner stood. Crandall’s sweep off the top was interjected by India’s flier and they instantly countered with numbers up, down the field. This play was stopped by a poised defensive tackle by Michelle Kasold (Chapel Hill, N.C.) who instantly switched the momentum the other way. Play continued to be locked for Team USA in the attacking half as they looked to find open space. In the 27th minute Katie Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.) earned a green card but this did not stop USA’s constant attack to finish out the quarter at USA 1, India 0.


Team USA grabbed a penalty corner one minute into the third quarter. Crandall’s sweep down to K. Reinprecht was deflected wide. India turned momentum and tested USA’s backfield by entering the circle from the right side to send a ball through to the stroke mark. A threatening advance came when India entered the circle with strong possession but the chance was stopped near the goal by Crandall and cleared by Kolojejchick. 


India tried to enter Team USA’s defensive circle but the action was stopped by Stefanie Fee’s (Virgina Beach, Va.) solid tackle. This play led to a long outletted ball down the field that eventually found Bam in the left corner. With a determined mentality, Bam took the ball with speed and skill near the goalmouth and ripped a shot on cage that went between India’s goalkeeper Savita’s legs and hit the backboard in the 42nd minute to make it USA 2, India 0. Wasting no time post goal, USA worked it down the field and grabbed a penalty corner in the 44th minute that end with no result to finish out the quarter.


India started off the fourth quarter with speed as they built play into their attacking circle and got a backhanded shot off from Deepkia at a low angle that went high and wide. With disciplined defense Team USA continued to maintain India’s pressure being composed and clogging forward balls. Moments later USA got off two shots, a backhand attempt by Bam that was saved by India’s Savita’s glove and a K. Reinprecht shot that went just wide. India’s Rani earned a green card in the 50th minute and USA took advantage of the player up situation. With quick passing connections Witmer on the left side of the field sent it to K. Reinprecht who one time crossed it to Gonzalez who drove it on target and in the goal to make it USA 3, India. 0.


Still with a player advantage USA quickly countered and earned a penalty corner in the 53rd minute. Off of the chance, Crandall sent the ball back to inserter Caitlin Van Sickle (Wilmington, Del.) whose shot earned USA another penalty corner. This second attempt went unanswered but a minute later another penalty corner opportunity came and off the straight shot by Crandall another penalty corner was awarded. India’s strong defensive unit denied the four penalty corner chances as they took possession the other way. In the 56th minute Crandall was awarded a 5-minute yellow card giving India a player up on the field. 
Play finished with USA getting multiple looks on target before taking the ball into the corner of the field to kill the clock and secure the 3-0 victory.

Next, the USWNT will compete against Great Britain on Saturday, August 13 at 5:00 p.m. EST. The match can be viewed live on the CNBC. Click here for a full broadcast schedule. 

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