GB women’s victory over USA secures quarter final spot

Great Britain 5 (3)

Hamilton (4’, FG); Howard (19’, FG; 25’, PC); French (35’, FG); Jones (39’, FG)

USA 2 (2)

Tamer (8’, PC; 29’ FG)

With both teams needing all the points from this pool B game, it was Great Britain who prevailed in this high scoring encounter, with a 5-2 win and confirming their spot in the quarter finals. GB went in front in through Hamilton, before USA’s Tamer equalised.  GB then led again and extended it through two Howard goals, before Tamer pulled one back for the USA to make it 3-2. Goals from French and Jones in the third quarter, stretched the lead and GB ran out comfortable winners.

It didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken in this match with both teams showing their attacking intent from the start.  Great Britain started well with some quick direct attacking and this pressure paid off after four minutes.  A half cleared by USA, fell to Sophie Hamilton at the top of the circle and she ran in on goal calmly lifting the ball over the USA keeper on the floor, to make it 1-0.

USA came straight back to force a penalty corner. The initial strike from Hoffman hit a GB defender’s stick and Miriam Pritchard did well to save above her with a glove, but the ball rebounded to USA’s Abi Tamer who volleyed the ball high up into the net to get the equaliser.

In the second quarter, Tess Howard pulled GB back into the lead.  It came from a great run from Lily Owsley around the edge of the circle whose pass found Howard to the left of goal.  She calmly took it on her reverse and squeezed the ball low inside the left hand post despite the keeper getting a pad to it.

GB made it 3-1 from a penalty corner move which saw a pass back from the top of the circle by Ansley to the injector Robertson who put the ball across goal.    Howard was on hand again to get a stick on it and deflect the ball across the goal line.   The scoring in the second quarter was completed as Tamer got her second for USA.  With a great piece of individual skill, she ran with the ball from the right of the circle, inside evading GB tackles to find some space for a reverse stick shot which beat Pritchard inside the right post.  Score at half-time 3-2.

Two goals from Great Britain in the third quarter sealed the victory. The first was a great move between Sophie Hamilton and Hannah French, as Hamilton picked the ball up at the halfway line and ran through challenges into the 23’.  Her reverse stick cross into the circle was met by French running in on goal to deflect past the keeper. GB’s fifth goal again from open play, came from a Sarah Robertson strike into the circle. Tess Howard managed to get a stick on the ball, and it looped up across goal for Sarah Jones to strike in the air into the middle of the net.  Sealing off another good attack from GB.

GB absorbed some pressure and defended well in the fourth quarter as USA tried to find a way back, but it was an assured end to the game.

GB women play their last pool game on Saturday against Argentina at 9 am UK time.

Feeling inspired by the hockey in Paris? Get involved and pick up a stick this summer, there is plenty on offer for you.