USA 3, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES 1

Game Five - Saturday, April 26, 2008

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KAZAN, RUSSIA (April 26, 2008) – The United States Field Hockey Women’s National Team defeated Netherland Antilles, 3-1, in their fifth game of the World Hockey Olympic Qualifiers in Kazan, Russia. With the victory, the Women’s National Team secured a spot in the tournament finals tomorrow and a possible trip to the 2008 Olympics.

Kate Barber opened the U.S. scoring by converting a penalty stroke in the 21st minute. The Netherlands tied the game two minutes later by swarming the scoring zone with attackers, leaving Paulien Eigenhuis unblocked for an open shot.  

In the 26th minutes, Dana Sensenig received a strike from Rachel Dawson and redirected the ball past Netherland Antilles goalkeeper Marlieke Van Den Pas for the second U.S. goal.   

Tiffany Snow capped the scoring in the 47th minute, with a blast off a penalty corner. With the goal, Snow joined teammate Angie Loy at the top of the tournament scoring leaders table with five.

“We’re obvious happy to win our final round game,” said U.S. coach Lee Bodimeade. “With the finals tomorrow, we thought it was a great opportunity to play against a team with a similar style two days in a row.”

“Our objective was to get through the pool play undefeated,” said U.S. team captain Kate Barber. ”Antilles really gave us a run for our money today. We’re pleased with the result and look forward to tomorrow.”

“Our main challenge was to score a lot of goals,” said Netherlands Antilles head coach Bas Swilden. The Netherlands Antilles team had a mathematical chance to eliminate the Americans by scoring double-digit goals. “That would be very hard to do against the USA,” Swilden said.

The USA Women’s National Team (5-0) is the only undefeated team in the tournament. They have outscored their opponents 24-3 and have shut out three.

The U.S. will most likely face Belgium tomorrow in the finals. Belgium (3-1) faces Russia (1-3) later today. With a win, they would surpass Netherlands Antilles (3-2) in the standings. The U.S. defeated Belgium, 3-2, in the first game of the tournament a week ago.

The winner in tomorrow’s tournament final will go to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.  

USA Goals:
Kate Barber, 21’ – Penalty Shot
Dana Sensenig, 26’ – Field Goal
Tiffany Snow, 47’ – Penalty Corner

Netherlands Antilles Goals:
Paulien Eigenhuis, 23’ – Field Goal