The 2019 Holiday Cup for ladies has started in Princeton (New Jersey).
Five high-class teams take part in this traditional tournament. Team USA, the best women’s world team in the world, hosted neighbor Canada and three strong European teams -Russia, the Netherlands and Italy.
On Day 1, the USA defeated Russia 9:5, while the Netherlands beat Canada 17:8. Italy had a bye day.
After the round-robin tournament (5 rounds), the best two teams will meet in the final, while the 3rd-placed and 4th-placed side will face off in the bronze-medal game.
2019 Holiday Cup, Day 1
USA – Russia 9:5 (3:1, 1:0, 2:2, 3:2)
USA: Musselman 2, K. Neushul 2, J. Neushul 1, Gilchrist 1, Fischer 1, Raney 1, Seidemann 1.
Russia: Karimova 1, Borisova 1, Gorbunova 1, Simanovich 1, Soboleva 1.
The first half of the match USA vs. Russia was a defensive battle. After an opening 3:1 quarter, the United States went 4:1 up in the second period. Russia its second goal scored in the 2nd minute of the third quarter(2:4), but the Americans immediately responded with two goals in a row for 6:2, and they maintained the 4-goal gap until the end.
Before the encounter, Ashleigh Johnson, the goalkeeper of Team USA, who graduated from Princeton, received the Total Player Award 2019, as the best female player in the world this year. Johnson was picked for the best by the votes from the numerous coaches, media representatives, and 10.000+ public votes.
Canada – Netherlands 8:17 (2:5, 5:4, 1:3, 0:5)
Canada:Chrystmas 3, Eggens 2, Wright 1, Bekhazi 1, Alogbo 1.
Netherlands: Koolhass 4, Van de Kraats 2, Joustra 2, Van der Sloot 2, Wolves 2, Stomphorst 2, Genee 1, Voorvelt 1, Koopman 1.
Canada kept up with the Netherlands for more than two quarters. At halftime, the European champions led 9:7. The Dutch opened the 3rd period with a goal for 10:7. In the middle of the third period, Canada scored the 8th goal (8:10). However, the Netherlands kept Canada goalless in the remaining time and cruised to a 17:8 victory.
