SURREY, ENGLAND — The Israel women’s national team has a flair for the dramatic in 2017, securing their second overtime victory of the FIL Women’s World Cup and climbing into the top-six in the world rankings with an 8-7 win over Wales at Surrey Sports Park on Tuesday.
Alison “clutch” Curwin again scored the game-tying and game-winning goals in overtime, just as she did earlier in the week in a first-round playoff game against Japan, shocking the mostly pro-Wales crowd.
The victory secures a likely promotion to the top division for the Israelis; short of a dramatic change to the tournament format, the blue-and-white will control their own destiny as the women hope to secure their first medal on the world stage in 2021.
Thursday’s match was an exciting back-and-forth affair, with no team leading by more than two goals at any point in the contest.
Wales led 6-5 with under two minutes to play before Ali Steinberg tied the match to force overtime. Wales’ Iona Dryden struck first in the first overtime, before Curwin answered back with 47 seconds left to force sudden-death.
The third period proved fruitless for both teams, but Curwin again scored on a feed from Sarah Andersen with 58 seconds left to secure the win.
Curwin, Emma Lazaroff and Jessi Steinberg finished with two goals each, while Ali Steinberg and Jayme Verman added singles. Andersen chipped in an assist.
Alex Freedman (71:02, 11 saves, 7 GA) earned the win in goal.
The Israelis (6-1) will wrap up their 2017 campaign against rival Scotland (1-6) in the 5th-place match at 6:00 PM local / 8:00 PM Israel / 1:00 PM ET.
Schedule/Results
Thu, Jul 13 – Israel 17, Netherlands 3
Fri, Jul 14 – Israel 16, Czech Republic 8
Sun, Jul 16 – Israel 18, China 0
Mon, Jul 17 – Israel 18, Belgium 0
Tue, Jul 18 – Israel 8, Japan 7 (OT; first-round playoff)
Wed, Jul 19 – United States 20, Israel 3 (Quarterfinals)
Thu, Jul 20 – Israel 8, Wales 7 (OT; Promotion/relegation match)
*Final placement games are on July 21st
Additioanl caps – Nikol Baglay, Jenna Baverman, Gabriela Cheban, Kim Dubansky, Leah Israel, Megan Lerner, Sarah Meisenberg, Blaire Nathanson