Penn State's Phia Gladieux celebrates after scoring her first Olympic goal
Story thanks to, and courtesy of, Teryn Brill Galloway, USA Field Hockey / Photo courtesy Getty Images #OlympiansMadeHere -- In their second pool game of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the No. 13 U.S. Olympic Women’s Field Hockey Team met No. 7 Spain at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Paris, France. USA tallied late in the first and Spain equalized in the second, but neither team could break the deadlock as it finished 1-1.
The opening quarter didn’t see much action early on, but things started to pick up midway through. After a few unsuccessful circle entries, Spain registered the first opportunity when they won a penalty corner in the 9th minute. On the chance, Amanda Golini (Randolph, N.J.) blocked the shot and on the resuming play goalkeeper Kelsey Bing (Houston, Texas) cleared it away. The Red Sticks earned another set piece with a minute to go and on the attempt, Ashley Hoffman (Mohnton, Pa.) saved it off the line and sparked a counterattack. Down the left side, Megan Valzonis (San Diego, Calif.) received it and crossed it right, as the ball bounced off of goalkeeper Clara Perez and landed to Phia Gladieux (Oley, Pa.) who had a quick turn and shot into the goal.
Five minutes into the second frame, Spain earned their third penalty corner which Ally Hammel (Duxbury, Mass.) saved off the post. On the resuming play, the Red Sticks took a free hit quickly and Begona Garcia tallied to even the score at 1-1. In the 24th minute, Maddie Zimmer (Hershey, Pa.) used her signature pull right with speed to force Spain’s Alejandra Torres-Quevedo to make a hard foul and earn USA a penalty corner. Unsuccessful on back-to-back chances, the United Eagles kept pushing and in the 25th minute Abby Tamer (Dexter, Mich.) scored, but it was disallowed for a USA foot on the restart. The final two minutes Bing was called to action, denying three shots including one in the final seconds off a penalty corner.
Deadlocked at 1-1, it took until midway through the third quarter before the first offensive opportunity was produced. It was Valzonis who worked the ball into the circle on the right and sailed a reverse just high and wide over the goal. For a period of time Spain was on the front foot as USA successfully fended off six penalty corners in succession.
At the start of the final frame, Bing was tested but easily cleared a forehand shot. In the 50th minute, USA found themselves an athlete up after Spain was given a green card for a foul against Zimmer, but couldn’t capitalize. As time ticked down, the United Eagles’ solid defensive prowess shutdown any Red Sticks’ attack as the contest finished tied at 1-1.
Today’s contest marked a career milestone as Leah Crouse (Virginia Beach, Va.) played in her 50th international match for Team USA.
USA will play No. 5 Australia on Wednesday, July 31 at 7:15 a.m. ET in their third pool game. Fans can watch it live on E! or stream it on Peacock.
For more information regarding Paris 2024, visit the event page.
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