The United States started off strong as Steffens scored two of the first three goals to build a 3-0 lead. Brazil’s Chiappini stopped the run with a goal later in the first period to leave the United States ahead 3-1. From that point forward the Team USA defense would dominate, holding Brazil scoreless over the final three periods. In the second quarter Steffens, Neushul, and Makenzie Fischer (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach HS/SET) added four more goals, two from Neushul, to build a 7-1 lead at halftime.
In the third Neushul scored again and Kaleigh Gilchrist (Newport Beach, CA/USC/Trojan) added her second goal for an 9-1 lead going to the fourth. The final eight minutes saw Team USA score two more times on goals from Alys Williams (Huntington Beach, CA/UCLA/HBWPC) and Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC/SBWPF) for an 11-1 lead and the victory. Team USA went 3/5 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties while Brazil was 1/7 on power plays and did not attempt a penalty shot.
“The team played solid defensively,” said USA Head Coach Adam Krikorian. “It’s an accomplishment anytime you can hold a team to one goal in a game.”
USA 11 (3, 4, 2, 2) K. Neushul 3, M. Steffens 3, K. Gilchrist 2, K. Craig 1, A. Williams 1, M. Fischer 1
BRA 1 (1, 0, 0, 0)
Saves – USA – S. Hill 9
6×5 – USA – 3/5 – BRA 1/7
Penalties – USA 1/1 – BRA 0/0
Comments are closed.