Atlanta Clan na nGael 6-1 Seattle Gaels 2-6
Atlanta met Seattle Gaels in the first round of the National Championships in Cleveland on Friday August 30th. In the opening minutes Ashley Harmon won possession and made a great solo run down the middle before being fouled 30 yards out. The resulting free from the same player ended up with the ball in the bottom corner of the net giving a dream start to the competition debutants. A few minutes later another goal from Ashley Harmon extended Atlanta’s lead. Seattle responded with two long range points from a free and one from open play. A long range delivery into the Seattle box resulted in Fiona O’Donoghue winning the breaking ball on the floor to cross to Jolene Glenn who neatly collected the sliotar before sending a hand pass to the net. The remainder of the second half saw Seattle take the upper hand without this pressure being reflected on the score board as a result of stellar defending from Atlanta. Kristin Cardell made some fantastic clearances while goal keeper Cathi Dugger made some outstanding saves and clearances throughout the half. Atlanta led at the break by a score of 3-0 to 0-3.
Seattle continued to apply pressure to the Atlanta defence at the start of the second half resulting in two point blank saves from Cathi Dugger and ultimately a goal for Seattle leaving just three points between the sides. Atlanta showed great hustle throughout this period as the half back line and midfield showed the greater desire for victory by outworking their opponents. Joy Quinn and Kirsten Bendik were first to every ball played into their opponents while Jordan Ciciliano gave an exhibition of tackling to stifle the Seattle attack. Leading by example Jen Beato put her body on the line to make some inspirational clearances up to the forward line.
Atlanta responded to Seattle’s goal with two goals of their own in quick succession. Firstly Sarah Spiller showed great hustle to win possession and score Atlanta’s fourth goal of the day from distance and this was followed shortly thereafter by Jolene Glenn’s second goal of the day as she finished off an excellent move with a hand pass to the net. The best goal came last as Jolene Glenn won the ball and offloaded a hand pass to Zoe Beato on the run who then hit a low hard shot from 30 yards after making a great solo run down the right wing. A goal scramble resulted in a shot from Fiona O’Donoghue unluckily coming back off the post towards the end of the game. Bregeen Campbell and Patricia Tanguay came on in the closing stages to add fresh legs to the Atlanta forward line. Ashley Harmon scored a great point from 30 yards out to close out Atlanta’s scoring for the day.
Seattle made a final push scoring a goal from a free which was followed by a number of points from play to leave the seven points as the winning margin.
Thanks again to Seattle Gaels for a great game which was played with excellent spirit throughout. Atlanta play Milwaukee Hurling Club in the semi-finals on day 2 of Nationals.
Team: Cathi Dugger, Kristin Cardell, Joy Quinn, Kirsten Bendik, Jen Beato, Jordan Ciciliano, Amanda DuShane, Sarah Spiller 1-0, Zoe Beato 1-0, Ashley Harmon 2-1 (1 goal from free), Fiona O’Donoghue, Rachel Dominy, Jolene Glenn 2-0. Subs: Bregeen Campbell for Fiona O’Donoghue; Patricia Tanguay for Zoe Beato. Unused subs: Amy Sparks, Rosa Manning, Christa Hixon, Ann Scheunemann
More photos of the day can be seen here.