England missed out on a place in the final of the Hockey World League Semi-Finals as they suffered a heart-breaking penalty shootout defeat to USA in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Hannah Martin had put England on course to reach the final when she clinically completed a flowing team move in the second period for a 1-0 lead.
Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch performed admirably to keep the surging Americans at bay but her defences were finally broken three minutes from time as Jill Witmer netted to force penalties.
Captain Melissa Gonzalez gave USA an early lead in that shootout but Sarah Haycroft sent the match to sudden death by netting England’s fifth penalty.
However, Alex Danson then saw her effort saved, while Gonzalez found the net to send the Americans into the final as England must now prepare for a third/fourth-place play-off against Argentina on Sunday.
“We are obviously disappointed with the result tonight,” admitted assistant coach David Ralph, who took charge of the team in the absence of the unwell Danny Kerry.
“It was an intense, tight game that unfortunately didn’t go our way. This is a great group though and we will regroup and look forward to playing Argentina on Sunday.”
England started brightest and deservedly took the lead in stunning fashion before half-time – Susannah Townsend carried the ball, found Sophie Bray in the circle and her clever reverse pass was neatly finished by Martin.
Hinch then remarkably kept the score at 1-0 in the final quarter as she produced five saves from three successive penalty corners, including a barely believable triple stop.
But she could do nothing as a reverse stick strike across goal at the death deflected into her and fell for Witmer to tap home.
Gonzalez gave USA the early advantage in the shootout before Hinch and American stopper Jackie Briggs repelled the next seven penalties between them with some outstanding goalkeeping.
Haycroft broke the duck while in the last chance saloon to force sudden death but Danson’s penalty was saved, while Gonzalez made no mistake to send USA through.
And while Bray was ecstatic to win her 100th cap in the game, she is now focused on rebounding in style against Argentina on Sunday.
“It’s an honour to receive my 100th cap for my country," she said. "I have a lot of people to thank for helping me on my way.
"We are gutted with the result but will be back on Sunday ready to go again.”
Sportsbeat 2017