Ireland beaten by USA in second clash of series

RTÉ News​

5 hours ago

USA 4-0 Ireland
Ireland were beaten 4-0 by USA in the final match of the two-match series in Charlotte.
A first half display of clinical attacking from the home side gave Ireland a mountain to climb as they looked to overcome a three-goal deficit.
A much improved second half saw Ireland dominate possession and chance creation, but excellent goalkeeping and further opportunism saw the home side secure a four-goal victory.
It followed the 1-1 draw between the sides on Saturday.
USA started the stronger of the sides, pressing allowing them to mount two attacks into the Irish circle. USA were rewarded for their early pressure, Katie Dixon pacing into the Irish circle and striking into the bottom corner. Ireland responded to the goal well, beginning to create chances of their own with Charlotte Beggs trying to play a ball across goal from the baseline, followed by shots from Niamh Carey, Mikayla Power and Siofra O'Brien to test Jennifer Rizzo in the USA net.
USA eventually won the first penalty corner of the game following a period of Irish dominance.
Ireland's defensive solidity from set-pieces continued on from the game the day prior to deny the US. USA did however double their lead soon after, Ryleigh Heck reacting quickest to volley into the Irish net following a save from Lizzie Murphy.
A late break in the first quarter launch by Carey gave Ireland a chance to reduce the deficit, but Sarah Torrans' efforts on goal were well saved by Rizzo.
The quarter time break gave Ireland some time to readjust which saw them start well, winning a penalty corner inside the first two minutes. Ireland opted to go to Mikayla Power, but her shot was too high and USA were awarded a free hit. The USA managed to re-establish themselves in the game soon after, winning a penalty corner of their own which was well saved by Murphy.
An incisive run from Niamh Carey down the right resulted in another promising chance for Ireland, but again they were denied by Rizzo, with Carey playing another inviting ball across goal a few minutes later. A late penalty corner for the USA from a break was well defended initially by Ireland, but the resulting chance ended up in the back of the net. Ireland opted to refer for obstruction, but the goal was withheld, and the USA went into half-time with a 3-0 lead.
A long weather delay meant both sides had to sit tight for the second half to resume, with the extended rest meaning both teams were energetic out of the blocks. Power and Sarah Torrans created early chances, but again Rizzo was alive to the shots.
Some quick hands from Christina Hamill in the final minutes of the third quarter earned Ireland a penalty corner, with Hannah McLoughlin's effort blocked and Roisin Upton's follow up saved, meaning Ireland still had a three-goal deficit to overcome after Q3 despite a very positive 15 minutes.
Ireland's control of the game continued into the final quarter, with time running out to mount a comeback. Early chances failed to lead to shots on goal, with USA managing to win a number of penalty corners of their own from the few periods of possession that they had, which Ireland defended well. A late chance for the USA eventually resulted in the first goal of the second half.
A quick response from Ireland saw them attack from the restart winning a penalty corner. Their first effort found the back of the net thanks to a Sarah Hawkshaw deflection, but the goal was chalked off. The second attempt was blocked, and the USA came away as 4-0 victors.