United States’ Melissa Gonzalez passes the ball as India’s goalkeeper Savita Savita defends during a women’s field hockey match at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016.
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So much for the slow starts by the US women’s field hockey team.
In their first two matches at the Olympics, the Americans struggled early before finishing strong to beat Argentina and Australia.
“It’s nice to know we’ve solidified our quarterfinal spot”, Bam said.
After entering the half up 1-0, the Usa came out focused in the third quarter and took a 2-0 lead when Bam’s fifth tally of the 2016 Olympics whizzed though the India goalie’s legs with 3:35 to play in the frame. The Americans, who went 1-4 in 2012, posted their second straight 2-1 victory, this time, topping Australia, the third-ranked team in the world, on Monday morning, August 8 in Rio. The United States is plus 10, while Britain is plus 7.
“Really important game for us tonight”, U.S. coach Craig Parnham said. “Japan were a very, very hard team. And the plus-five goal difference is really helpful when we’re in pool play”.
The only point of worry for the U.S. in Thursday’s match was the fact that they had earned as many as eight penalty corners but could not convert a single one.
The fifth-ranked Americans had no problem finding motivation to do their best against No. 2 Argentina and No. 3 Australia.
The outcome was very different than the last two times the US and India met, in the first two games of the Rio Send-Off Series at Spooky Nook Sports in July. “It’s easy to step up and play the people that are ranked higher than you”.
She hit the back of the cage with a pretty reverse chip shot with 1:03 to play in the first quarter, then scored again for a 2-0 lead 3:35 before halftime.
It didn’t take much time for Jill Witmer to score the fourth goal of the game, but the Cherry Blossoms finally scored in the fourth quarter on a penalty corner attempt when Mie Nakashima snuck one into the corner of the cage.
Japan fell to 0-2-1. India are yet to register a win at Rio and face Argentina next on Saturday. Bam said the Americans won’t get ahead of themselves.
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The only real struggles for the US came on penalty corners, where it finished the game 0 for 9 after entering the day 5 for 16.
