Over the course of six days, six games were played for the FIH Pro League in Hobart Australia.
United States
The United States only won one of their four matches.
They played their first match on March 1st against a strong Australian team. They only were able to produce one corner during the game, which came in the fourth quarter. Kelsey Bing did a great job keeping them in the game, by making six saves to keep the Eagles alive. Only two shots were recorded from the USA in this match, one from Ashley Sessa and the other from Sanne Caarls. Bing took the game to shootouts, where she only allowed one ball in. Charlotte De Vries, Ashley Sessa, and Leah Crouse, all converted on their shootout attempts.
Their next match came the following day against Argentina, and once again resulted in no goals from the States. They were unable to get any corners but were able to get a handful of cards. Amanda Golini took the only shot for the United States in the match. In goal, Bing fought hard, making a total of ten saves and Jennifer Rizzo also recorded one.
In the United States' next game against Australia, they were able to get on the scoreboard but ultimately lost 2-1. The goal came off the stick of Ashley Hoffman in the 21st minute. The USA did a much better job of getting corners in this match, getting four and even a stroke. Unfortunately, they were not able to do anything with the opportunities they were given. Four different players recorded shots in this match, with Hoffman recording the most with three. In goal, Bing had a bit of a quieter match with only four saves.
The States’ final match of the series was a 3-0 loss against Argentina. Once again, the States struggled to create offensive opportunities. Sanne Caarls had the lone shot for the USA. In goal, Bing recorded four saves and Rizzo recorded three.
Argentina
Argentina won three of their four matches during the set.
They played Australia in the opening match of the series, recording a 0-2 loss. Their loss did not come without a fight, as they took a total of six penalty corners. Toward the end of the game, they kept receiving cards, resulting in them playing with a man down for five minutes in the fourth quarter. Agustina Gorzelany led the team in shots, with a total of four. Overall, seven different players recorded at least one shot on goal in the match. In goal, Cristina Cosentino recorded two saves.
After a little break, Argentina returned to the pitch on March 2nd to play the USA. They scored three goals during the match. The first goal was off a corner by Agustina Gorzelany. Four minutes later, Sofia Cairo scored the second goal of the match off a field goal. The final goal came in the last two minutes of the second quarter from Maria Granatto off a penalty corner. Gorzelany once again led the team in shots with four.
They then played the next day and secured a 1-0 victory against Australia. The lone goal of the match came early in the fourth quarter from Lucina Von Der Heyde off a corner. Agustina Albertarrio and Eugenia Trinchinetti both led the team in shots with two each. In goal, Cristina Cosentino made one save to keep Australia off the board.
In their final match of the series, Argentina won another 3-0 game against the United States. Maria Granatto scored the first goal of the match off a penalty corner in the second quarter and then scored again in the fourth quarter. Delfina Thome scored the other goal of the match in the third quarter. The team totaled fourteen shots on goal during the match, with Granatto taking five.
Australia
Australia went 2-2 in the series.
Australia started strong with a 2-0 win against Argentina in the opening match of the set. Hannah Cullum-Sanders started the scoring early in the match, with a goal in the first two minutes of the match. Renee Taylor made the go-ahead goal in the second quarter off a corner. Australia did a great job of intercepting the ball, tallying seventeen interceptions. In goal, Aleisha Power made seven saves. Their defense really helped them win the match.
In their next match, they lost in shootouts to the United States. They had a number of opportunities to score in regulation, with six corners being taken. Australia entered the circle a total of thirty-three times in the match. They took a total of nine shits, but it was not enough to get past the force that is the USA goalkeeper. In goal for Australia, Power made a total of two saves in the match. In shootouts, Hanna Cullum-Sanders converted on hers, but the other attempts were not successful. The goalkeeper was able to stop two of the United State’s five attempts.
Australia then re-met with Argentina, but this time came short in a 0-1 loss. Australia was only able to create two corner plays in the match, which is very low for them. In the final few minutes of the match, they received a green card and then a yellow card, making them a man down for a total of six minutes, with one minute of having two players off. Australia made a total of 35 tackles in the match. In goal, Power made a total of seven saves.
In their final match of the series, they picked up a 2-1 win against the USA. Claire Colwill opened the scoring with a goal off a penalty corner in the third minute. After the USA tied the game in the second quarter, the game remained tied for quite a while until the 57th minute of the match. Amy Lawton was able to convert on a corner to give them the win. Power made five saves in goal.