U.S. field hockey knocks off second straight foe

Americans claim second straight victory over world power

The United States beat No. 3Australia in women’s field hockey to improve to 2-0in pool play.

RIODEJANEIRO>> Once again, the United States got off to a slow start.

And again, the Americans regained their composure and knocked off a world power at the Olympics, claiming their second straight win against a top-three teamin women’s field hockey by beating No. 3 Australia 2-1 on Monday.

Michelle Vittese and Caitlin van Sickle scored for the Americans, who defeated No. 2 Argentina 2-1 in their Olympic opener on Saturday.

The Americans said their ability to bounce back has been consistent.

“I think that’s just kind of our DNA,” van Sickle said. “We don’t have the greatest start. We’re always going to keep coming and keep coming after you.”

United States goalie Jackie Briggs had six saves and allowed just one goal on 15 shots. Australia couldn’t convert any of its four penalty corners against her. The crowd chanted, “Jackie! Jackie!” after the match.

The fifth-ranked Americans, who lead Pool B with six points, moved closer to qualifying for the quarterfinals. The top four teams in each six-team pool advance. The United States has the maximum point total two games into pool play and already has played the two high-

est-ranked teams. The Americans say that won’t affect their focus as they prepare to play Japan on Wednesday.

The Americans haven’t medaled since 1984, and Argentina and Australia have been good for years while the United States is an emerging program. But the United States beat Australia for third place at the Champions Trophy event in June, fueling the team’s confidence heading into the Rio de Janeiro Games.

The Americans dealt a major blow to Australia. The Hockeyroos dropped their opener to Britain 2-1 on Saturday and now have zero points with three pool play matches remaining. They play India next.

“It’s managing the distractions in the (Olympic) Village, managing the distractions of the other results going on in the competition,” Australia’s Georgie Parker said. “We’re going to be scouting really hard against India preparing as well as we can, making sure we do that right recovery, and everything will go smoothly from there, we hope.”

This one was especially rough for Australia because it was hit with two yellow cards and a green card in the third period alone, forcing the Hockeyroos to play short-handed.

The United States spent the early part of the match defending its goal as the aggressive Australian attack put the Americans on their heels. Briggs stopped four shots in the first period, and the match remained scoreless.

Vittese scored on a penalty corner to put the United States up 1-0 in the second period. The Americans went up 2- 0 in the third period when van Sickle scored on a penalty corner. There was a video referral because the pass near the goal was high, but it was not considered and the goal was upheld.

Australia came back less than two minutes later with a goal by Kathryn Slattery.

The Hockeyroos got another penalty corner with two minutes remaining in the fourth period, but Briggs def lected a shot high.

HUSSEIN MALLA — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS United States’ Kathleen Sharkey, left, fights for the ball against Australia’s Emily Hurtz, center, during an Olympic women’s field hockey game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday.

DARIO LOPEZ-MILLS — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS United States players celebrate after scoring against Australia.

HUSSEIN MALLA — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS United States’ Kelsey Kolojejchick, left, moves with the ball as Australia’s Edwina Bone, right, defends.