Fort Lauderdale, FL - December 9 -
The USA Women's National Team finished off a two-game sweep of Spain in South
Florida with an 11-9 win earlier tonight at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center.
Jenna Flynn scored three goals in the victory with Ashleigh Johnson adding 11
saves. Team USA now heads to Europe for two weeks of common training with Italy
and the Netherlands. Tonight's match also marked the final international
competition for veteran referee Michael Goldenberg. Goldenberg was recognized
before the match with gifts and photos alongside family and friends. A replay
of tonight's match against Spain is available at Overnght.com. Use code USAWPFL
for 50% off.
For the second straight game it was a
back and forth battle between the two Olympic medalists. Maggie Steffens
started the scoring to open the match before the teams traded goals the rest of
the period. Jovana Sekulic had the last word in the period with a score in
close to give the United States a 4-3 lead after the first. After Spain tied
the game in the second quarter, goals from Ryann Neushul and Sekulic gave Team
USA a two-goal edge at 6-4. It didn't last long as Spain rattled off two goals
to end the period, leveling the score at 6-6 going into halftime.
Spain was the aggressor in the third
quarter scoring two of the first three goals to snag an 8-7 lead. Team USA
battled back and then eventually went ahead at 9-8 on a score from Jordan
Raney. Bea Ortiz tied the match with a goal late in the period for Spain to
make it 9-9 after three.The first six minutes of the fourth quarter were a
defensive standstill as neither side could find the cage. Eventually, the
United States broke through, on the third goal of the day for Flynn. Jordan
Raney put the game on ice moments later as she buried a power play score for an
11-9 lead. Spain would get no closer as Team USA picked up the win.
Team USA went 7/16 on power plays and
1/1 on penalties while Spain went 6/12 on power plays with no penalties
attempted.
Scoring - Scoresheet
USA 11 (4, 2, 3, 2) J. Flynn 3, J.
Sekulic 2, J. Raney 2, R. Neushul 1, M. Steffens 1. J. Roemer 1, B. Weber 1
ESP 9 (3, 3, 3, 0) A. Ruiz 2, J.
Forca 2, C. Nogue 1, B. Ortiz 1, E. Ruiz 1, M. Garcia 1
Saves - USA - A. Johnson 11 - ESP -
L. Ester 2, M. Terre 1
6x5 - USA - 7/16 - ESP - 6/12
Penalties - USA - 1/1 - ESP - 0/0
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