Match Recap: Hosts Greenland Halt WNT at NACHC Women's Championship
by Matthew Collins
In front of a packed arena in Nuuk, Greenland, the United States' Women's National Team dropped their second match of the 2023 NACHC Women's Chmapionship to the hosts.
The US looked to bounce back after a tough loss against Canada in their first match, and with Greenland defeating Cananda 30:19 in their first match, the home side would prove to be a challenge.
Ashley Butler opened the matches scoring in the first minute, with Sarah Gascon adding a goal to the tally three minutes later, and the US were out in front 2:1.
However, some turnovers and lapses in defense allowed Greenland to go on a 3-0 run, and at the eight minute mark, the score was 5:2.
Greenland's attack showed their prowess in the first twenty minutes and after multiple missed opportunities by the Americans, the deficit was ten at the 10 minute remaining mark in the first half, 13:3.
Goals by Goalkeeper Sophie Fasold from 39 meters away from goal into an empty net and from Kathy Darling brought the US into the intermission down by a score of 16:5.
Head Coach Edina Borsos introduced Sanna Wheeler between the posts as the match's second half threw off.
Zarinna Monroy and Sarah Gascon goals, paired with a huge save by Wheeler on a 7 meter penalty had the US down by 12 as the math crossed the 40 minute mark.
In the closing stages of the matches, in the 57th minute, arguably the best attack of the tournament happened for the Americans, with a Greenland turnover caused by Arianne Clerc leading to a pass from Payton McCarthy to Cedar Bellows, who dished it to Ashley Butler for a lob shot over the goalie.
That goal proved to be last of the match for the American side, with the final score being 27:12 in favor of the home side.
Goalkeeper was named Team USA's Player of the Match after she provided several saves in the second half. Zarinna Monroy and Sarah Gascon led the scoring for the US, with 5 and 3 goals, respectively.
The United States will take on Mexico on Friday (3:30pm EST), after a rest day for all teams on Thursday.