Team USA Remains Undefeated After 4 Women’s Field Hockey Games

Thanks to two more goals from Katie Bam – who had a hat trick in Wednesday’s win over Japan – and a full-team effort on defense, the Usa willed its way to a 3-0 win over India at the Olympic Hockey Centre in Rio in what’s becoming a historic Olympics for the U.S.

Bam, Witmer and Team USA are back in action Saturday against Great Britain.

Gonzalez then came through on her second quality chance of the match and gave the USA some breathing room with 8:23 to play in the fourth, burying a nice feed from Katie Reinprecht to cap the scoring on the day.

Bam took the ball up the left side in the 41st minute, faked out the defender with strong stick work and fired between two defenders to send the ball through Punia’s legs and put the USA up 2-0.

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Maddie Musselman and Maggie Steffans both scored four goals for the United States in Thursday’s 12-4 victory over China.

“It’s nice to know we’ve solidified our quarterfinal spot”, Bam said.

Katie Bam scored two goals, and the US defeated India 3-0 Thursday night to improve to 4-0 in Pool B. Britain also remained unbeaten with a 2-0 win over Japan on Thursday.

While the offensive players, including midfielder Katie Reinprecht ’13 and forward Kathleen Sharkey ’13, made the goal-scoring plays, the US defense deserves just as much, if not more, credit. “Japan were a very, very hard team. And the plus-five goal difference is really helpful when we’re in pool play”. “Another three points tonight is important for us”.

The Indians did better in the second quarter as they were able to stop the Americans from scoring, including from two penalty corners.

India however, managed to prevent their opponents from increasing the lead in the second quarter thanks to some desperate defending.

Kolojejchick made a similar play later to keep a 5-1 lead, as Japan’s only score came when Mie Nakashima buried a wide-open, close-range shot from the left.

After the two big wins to start the Olympics, the US had to guard against a letdown Wednesday.

“That was definitely a newer experience for us”, Bam said. Today, we just got up there real fast, managed to get a corner.

Kathleen Bam (14th, 42nd minutes) struck twice for the Americans while Melissa Gonzalez (52nd) scored the third goal to hand the Indians their third consecutive defeat here on Thursday.

The win comes two days after Kolojejchick, who made the national team in 2012, earned her 100th cap (career worldwide appearance).

After Harrison won the Olympic title in London, she vowed to retire from the competitive grind of the Japanese martial art. “That’s a once in a lifetime achievement and to have it occur at the Olympics is over the top!”

The game will be televised on NBCSN.