USWNT lose 3-1 to Germany at FIH World Cup; now play for 9th–16th place
Ashley Sessa sets up a shot at the FIH World Cup. Photo: USA Field Hockey
USA Field Hockey pushed through a high-pressure test Wednesday but ultimately fell to No. 6 Germany, 3-1, in its third pool-play match of the 2026 FIH World Cup.
With the result, Germany advances to the crossovers, while the No. 10 United States shifts its focus to the 9th- through 16th-place classification matches.
Germany finished second in Pool B behind Argentina. The final pool standings put Argentina on top with 7 points, Germany second with 6, the United States third with 4, and Scotland fourth with 0.
Die Danas made their chances count in the 3-1 win, converting two penalty strokes and finishing one field goal to stay in control of the scoreboard.
Jette Fleschütz delivered both strokes, striking once in the second quarter and again in the third. Germany’s field goal came on a bouncing ball across the cage, where Lisa Nolte was stationed at post.
USA opened with grit, holding Die Danas off the scoreboard through the first quarter and undergoing sustained pressure without breaking.
The United Eagles also showed flashes of poise in possession, using quick small-game combinations to play out of the backfield, beat the press, and generate brief stretches of momentum.
Ashley Sessa scored the lone goal for Team USA. She received a strong pass from just outside the 23 meter, brought the ball inside the circle, eliminated one defender, and then laid out to throw the ball in the air above the goalie.
Defensively, USA worked through a lopsided circle-entry count, with Germany producing nearly 10 times as many attacking opportunities, yet still limited the damage where it mattered most.
Kelsey Bing is pictured defending her cage at the FIH World Cup. Photo: USA Field Hockey
One of the strongest defensive takeaways came on penalty corners: Germany entered the matchup converting at 20 percent, but USA kept Die Danas from scoring on every attacking penalty corner they earned.
Both Germany and USA earned two attack penalty corners apiece.
Late in the fourth, head coach David Passmore added an 11th field player and goalie Kelsey Bing came out of the game. Bing had a stellar performance.
The matchup marked another tough contest between the two sides, who last met during the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Pro League, when Germany earned a 2-0 victory.
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