No. 12 USA to face No. 2 Argentina in 2025 Pan American Cup field hockey finale: Semifinal Recap
Ryleigh Heck scored twice in the USA vs Uruguay seminfinal to help lift the States to the 2025 Pan American Championship. Photo: USA Field Hockey/World Sport Pics
If you watched the US Women's National Field Hockey Team's semifinal game against Uruguay on Friday night, you're probably still feeling a rush of excitement from the 2025 Pan American Cups.
The States won 4-2 in shootouts after the regulation game ended in a 1-1 draw.
And, if you also caught the men's team before that, and you're a USA Field Hockey fan, you're likely still beaming. The U.S. Men's National Team has also advanced to the 2025 Pan Am Cup championship game - a first in 16 years.
The Wolves defeated Chile 3-1 in shootouts.
Ryleigh Heck and Abby Tamer celebrate in Montevideo, Uruguay during the semifinal game. Photo: USA Field Hockey/World Sport Pics
United Eagles
The absence of Beth Yeager (Princeton), the States’ ace drag flicker, was noticeable in the initial attempts at the States' attack penalty corner set pieces. Her powerful drag flick often could make a defensive post player reconsider their role.
Before she was sidelined from an injury, Yeager had already scored four goals, three in the Mexico game and one in the Chile game.
While the States initially struggled to cleanly execute their corners, the United Eagles eventually adjusted and managed to score. Poor ball reception caused two corners to abruptly end, meaning the ball wasn’t stopped or controlled and it rolled away from the States scoring circle.
However, once stick stop positioning was corrected, a play was executed where the ball was passed from the top of the circle to the far post, allowing Ryleigh Heck (North Carolina) to collect it and score.
The “ever reliable” Kelsey Bing was a huge reason Uruguay was unable to come from behind and win in the Pan Am semis. Photo: USA Field Hockey/World Sport Pics
Uruguay
There was a major contrast in playing styles. Uruguay relied heavily on running the ball, while the States focused on quick passes, moving the ball within three seconds.
It's impressive how Uruguay maintained their intensity, especially since a strong passing game can often wear down a fast-running team. Their conditioning appeared to be on par with sprinting a marathon, as they managed to secure an equalizer from an attack penalty corner with only half of the fourth quarter remaining.
Standouts
The States have a deep bench, and it's clear that both the women’s and men’s teams have shown significant performance growth across all positions, from the front line to the cage.
- Lucy Adams (Brown) was an essential playmaker, consistently involved in multiple interceptions, double teams, and layered movement.
- Leah Crouse (Maryland) made a crucial defensive play, preventing a shot on goal by diving and cleanly using her reverse to disrupt a chance for Uruguay to take a shot. Uruguay received the only green card (for misconduct) of the match when two of their players approached an umpire, attempting to negotiate an attack penalty corner with only seconds left in regulation. Crouse was laid out with an apparent leg cramp, halting play.
- Kelsey Bing (Stanford) showed great instincts when a penalty stroke was awarded during regulation. This occurred due to a breakdown play where Uruguay had possession under pressure from the States, and their player was unable to take a fair shot.
Lucy Adams had a dominant performance against Uruguay. Photo: USA Field Hockey/World Sport Pics
Shootout
All four of the States’ shooters were able to find the cage, while Bing denied two of Uruguay’s shooters.
Abby Tamer, Reese D’Ariano, Heck, and Phia Gladiuex each landed their shots.
The women’s head coach David Passmore praised his young squad’s ability to manage the noise of the sold-out crowd.
“We made hard work of it by not using the circle entries and penalty corners in the first half, but we showed positive energy in the second until we scored,” he said in a statement. “We lacked periods of composure when Uruguay came out more aggressively.”
He called Bing “ever reliable” for having done her homework on Uruguay.
“To have qualified for the World Cup so early allows us time to plan and develop this exciting group, and those back in Charlotte to continue the progress further,” Passmore said.
No. 2 Argentina vs No. 12 USA. 4:30 p.m., Sunday, August 1. Photo: USA Field Hockey/World Sport Pics
Up next
No. 2 Argentina and No. 12 USA play in the championship game at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 3. Both teams have qualified to compete in the 2026 FIH World Cup.
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