BERKELEY, Calif. – In front of a sold out crowd at the Spieker Aquatics Complex, the USA Women’s National Team opened their three game exhibition series against Australia with a 9-2 victory. Kiley Neushul (Isla Vista, CA/Stanford/NYAC) and Maggie Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford/NYAC) led the way with two goals each in the victory. Ashleigh Johnson (Miami, FL/Princeton/NYAC) and Amanda Longan (Moorpark, CA/USC/Santa Barbara 805) each notched 4 saves as they split time in goal.
A full replay of the match is available by clicking here. The two teams will meet again on Wednesday evening at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, CA at 5:30pm pt. The match on Wednesday is free admission, doors open at 4:45pm pt. Seating is very limited and some admission will be standing room only. The game will live stream at Facebook.com/usawp and YouT
Team USA jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first quarter via two goals from Kiley Neushul and they would add one more just before the break to take a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Team USA continued to shut down Australia during the second quarter while adding two more goals to take a commanding 5-0 lead at halftime.
Rachel Fattal (Seal Beach, CA/UCLA/SOCAL) scored in the third quarter to put Team USA ahead 6-0 before Australia broke through with a score from Bronwen Knox. Alys Williams (Huntington Beach, CA/UCLA/Huntington Beach WP) got the United States back on the board with a goal late in the third to take a 7-1 lead to the fourth. Team USA tacked on two more goals in the fourth to cruise to the eight goal victory.
Team USA went 2/5 on power plays and 1/2 on penalties while Australia was 0/5 on power plays with no penalty shot attempts.
Scoring – Scoresheet
USA 9 (3, 2, 2, 2) USA: K. Neushul 2, M. Steffens 2, R. Fattal 1, P. Hauschild 1, J. Neushul 1, M. Fischer 1, A. Williams 1
AUS 2 (0, 0, 1, 1) H. Buckling 1, B. Knox 1
Saves – USA – A. Johnson 4, A. Longan 4 – AUS – G. Palm 8
6-on-5 – USA – 2/5 – AUS – 0/5
Penalties – USA – 1/2 – AUS – 0/0