Irvine, CA - August 23 - The USA Women completed an undefeated home stand with a thrilling 17-16 victory over Australia today after penalties. Jenna Flynn scored five goals and goalkeeper Lauren Steele notched nine saves in net to get the win.
The game's first goal came courtesy of Quinn Healy about midway through the opening quarter. Two minutes later, Ella Woodhead earned a penalty and Ava Stryker converted the five meter attempt. In the closing minutes of the quarter, Australia leveled at 2-2.
In the second period, Ryann Neushul put away her first goal on a power play before the Stingers responded with a penalty shot goal. Stryker gave Team USA the lead back from up top and then Neushul beat the defense down the pool for a counterattack strike. Flynn pushed the lead to three from a five meter penalty shot but Australia got one back late in the period for a 6-4 American edge at the break.
The visitors controlled the third quarter from start to finish with great defense keeping the United States at bay. The Aussies scored six times on the other end to confirm a 10-6 lead after three.
After Australia scored to go up five at the beginning of the fourth period, the Americans turned things around. Flynn scored back-to-back goals before Neushul did the same to pull the United States back within one. A key Steele save late led to a timeout with 0:10 left after which the home team came out in a 7-on-6 situation. Ball movement and patience paid off when Jewel Roemer beat the buzzer to tie the score at 11-11 and send the game into a penalty shootout.
In penalties, both teams converted multiple times before an American miss meant Australia could win it with another goal. Newly inserted Christine Carpenter had other plans, denying an Aussie attempt to keep the United States alive. With the score tied again, Steele reentered the game and came up with another huge save which left Roemer the opportunity to send the fans home happy and that's exactly what she did.
Team USA went 4/9 on power plays and 2/2 on penalties before the shootout while Australia went 2/10 on power plays and 2/2 on penalties before the shootout.
Scoring - Stats
USA 17 (2, 4, 0, 5, 6) J. Flynn 5, R. Neushul 4, J. Roemer 3, A. Stryker 2, R. Fattal 1, R. Hassett 1, Q. Healy 1
AUS 16 (2, 2, 6, 1, 5) A. Williams 4, S. Hearn 3, T. Fasala 2, S. Green 2, T. Kearns 2, A. Andrews 1, A. Lambert 1, S. Owen 1
Saves - USA - L. Steele 9, C. Carpenter 1 - AUS - G. Palm 8
6x5 - USA - 4/9 - AUS - 2/10
Penalties - USA - 2/2 - AUS - 2/2
