SANTIAGO, Chile – The bronze medal game of the 2025 FIH Hockey Nations Cup was a rematch between No. 14 U.S. Women’s National Team and No. 13 Chile. Although USA put up a valiant fight and led in statistics, they struggled to finish as they dropped the contest, 1-2.
USA held the advantage in the first quarter producing five shots on eight entries, with three penalty corner chances. The first came from Josie Hollamon (Delmar, Del.) off a set piece. Midway through, Sanne Caarls (Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands) pulled her defender and ripped a backhand on frame that was saved by goalkeeper Natalia Salvador. A minute later, Lucy Adams (Andover, Mass.) had a turning forehand stopped before Reese D’Ariano (West Chester, Pa.) tried a backhand penalty corner option that was denied. Chile registered their lone shot in the 13th minute when a through ball was one-timed by Francisca Tala, but goalkeeper Kealsie Reeb (Seaford, Va.) deflected it wide. D’Ariano had one final look, a reverse sweep, but the period closed scoreless.
Chile held more control in the second frame and took the lead in the 27th minute. After USA denied three Diablas penalty corners, with the third being saved off the post by Ally Hammel (Duxbury, Mass.), quick passing led to Maria Maldonado tucking it into the far corner of the goal. Although the United Eagles didn’t produce as much offense, two more shots were registered from Phia Gladieux (Oley, Pa.) and D’Ariano.
The third quarter saw possession shift back in favor of USA, but they continued to struggle to finish. Inside the 38th minute, the Eagles had three penalty corners in succession with the final attempt by Cassie Sumfest (Lewisburg, Pa.) making it on frame but being kicked away by Salvador.
USA’s break finally came in the 51st minute when D’Ariano threaded a ball through to Caarls who perfectly placed her backhand between the post and pad. That was short lived as following a 10-minute yellow card to Katie Dixon (Cary, N.C.), Chile regained the lead when Fernanda Arrieta tapped in the ball off a USA error. In the 54th minute, Chile was penalized for their overly physical play when two athletes were issued yellow cards. As time ticked on, USA pulled Reeb with 4 minutes remaining but couldn’t find the equalizer as they fell 1-2.
At the conclusion of the game, Fernanda Flores was named Player of the Match.
For more information on the 2025 FIH Hockey Nations Cup, visit the event page.
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By USWNT
