Today did not quite go as we had hoped. We played our Quarter Final against Colombia. We had a very close game and ended up losing 4-3 in the very last seconds of the game (see Agnes' recap below). Very tough and exciting game. We played one of our best games as a team.
Semi Final:
Since we lost to Colombia we are knocked out of 1st through 4th place, so we are now playing for 5-8th. That also meant we had to play two games today. The second one was against Australia. We dug really deep and played hard. We were fit and strong, so it was another very close game but we lost 2-3.
Since we lost we will be playing Canada for 7th or 8th place tomorrow morning at 7:15 am (3/31/2016 10:15 pm PST, 11:15 MST 4/1/2016 at 12:15 am CST and 1:15 am EST). If you wanted to watch a game, this would be one of the better ones as far as video quality. The water should be clear since we are the first game and it finally seems like 24/7 figured out how to switch camera feeds at better times. I hope you will be cheering for us tomorrow!
Special Guest Summary:
Agnes Debrunner (mother of our youngest player, and also a player on our Master’s Team) wrote a very nice recap, so why do all the work again!
The next game was the USA elite ladies against Colombia. The winner of this game goes on to the top four bracket, so it was a must-win game. I don’t think I can take any more games like that, and I was just a spectator… Both teams played fantastic games.
Colombia scored a goal first - pretty early in the game, I think within about a minute. Whoa - they were fast and determined. USA wasn’t quite ready.
With 3 ½ minutes left in the first half, TeamUSA scored a goal on a penalty shot to tie up the game.
The Colombians came back fast and furious and the puck ended up right in front of the US goal in a crazy battle. Time was running out and it looked like the US was successful at holding the Colombians off, but, unbelievably, with no more than 2 seconds on the clock, the Colombians managed to jam the puck into the goal. It was a very impressive effort on the part of both teams. Halftime score, 2-1 in Colombia’s favor. Emotions were running high with that last second goal, but USA is obviously still well within reach of winning. No holding back! This was a serious battle. The crowds, of course, are going nuts.
One minute into the second half, USA scores on another penalty shot to tie the game 2-2. Everyone on deck is on edge and cheering like crazy. Every change in direction of play brings cheers from one team’s fans or the other. I can only imagine the pressure the ladies felt…
About 2 minutes later, Missy visits the sin bin and Colombia scores while TeamUSA is a player down. Adrenaline rush for all the fans… My heart is racing just remembering it!
Somewhere in there, Christina makes a break and swims across most of the pool with two Colombians chasing her down, and she shoots at the corner of the goal and just misses. On the pool-side video it looked like it must have gone in. Yikes. Lots of yelling… Lots of cheering.
With about 9 minutes left in the second half USA scores to tie the game 3-3. …and the crowds go wild…
No scores for 9 minutes. Fast and furious back and forth. Both teams playing great hockey. Fans being great fans. Rain being obnoxious. Back and forth with the puck. Close to the goal on both ends and successfully defended each time.
With about 1 ½ minutes left, Missy gets another penalty, and the puck is in front of the US goal. Oh man, tensions are high. USA one player down and Colombia has the advantage puck near the USA goal. USA needs to hold them long enough to force it into overtime.
Then Tyera is in the penalty box too. USA down two players and the Colombians are right in front of the goal. Fans are screaming! USA manages to hold them off! All the fans are counting down. USA has done it! But no!!! The refs called a goal! The Colombians are ecstatic! The refs all get together to decide if the goal went in before the time ran out or not. The discussion goes on for about 15 excruciating seconds. The goal counted. Colombia wins with a literally last-second goal. What a game… It was exhausting just to watch…