NYMBURK, CZECH REPUBLIC — The Israel women’s national team battled for 60 minutes, but was unable to upset #1-ranked England on Friday in the semifinals of the 2015 European Championships.
The match started with a scoring frenzy, as Sophie Morrill scored for England just 40 seconds in. Halsey Diakow and Courtney Miller responded with back-to-back goals to give Israel a 2-1 lead, before England see-sawed the momentum back in their favor with a three-goal run.
Amanda Tuck and Miller scored another set of back-to-back goals to tie the match at 4-4. However, England would go on a four-goal run to take a commanding 8-4 lead at the half.
Tuck and Jess Rothstein opened the second half to cut the deficit to 8-6, but that’s the closest the blue-and-white would get in the second half, as England quashed Israel’s momentum with 10-6 and 12-7 leads.
Tuck (three goals), Miller (two goals, one assist), Rothstein (two goals) and Diakow (one goal) were responsible for Israel’s scoring. Julia Szafman (60:00, 7 saves, 12 GA) was dealt the loss in goal.
England (5-0), who hasn’t lost to a European opponent since 2008, meets Wales (4-0-1) in the Gold Medal Match.
The match was the first-ever appearance — program wide — for Israel (3-1-1) in a semifinal. The blue-and-white will meet Scotland (4-1) in the Bronze Medal Match on Saturday (time TBD).
Additional caps — Emily Brodsky, Hannah Deoul, Kimberly Dubansky, Hannah Epstein, Marlee Galper, Sarah Greenberg, Sarah Meisenberg, Ifat Ribon, Ellie Rosenblum, Sophia Rosetti, Taylor Roy, Leah Sherman
Mon, Aug 3 – Israel vs. #8 Ireland (friendly; W, 10-2)
Tue, Aug 4 – Israel vs. #5 Czech Republic (friendly; W, 10-5)
Thu, Aug 6 – Israel vs. #2 Wales (pool play; T, 9-9) – Video
Fri, Aug 7 – Israel vs. Italy (pool play; W, 12-8) – Video
Sun, Aug 9 – Israel vs. #7 Netherlands (pool play; W, 18-3) – Video
Wed, Aug 12 – Israel vs #4 Germany (quarterfinals; W, 10-5) – Video
Fri, Aug 14 – Israel vs #1 England (semifinals; L, 12-8) – Video
Sat, Aug 15 at TBD – Israel vs #3 Scotland (bronze medal match)