SURREY, ENGLAND — Israel jumped out to a 4-0 lead and never looked back in their opening match of the 2017 FIL Women’s World Cup at Surrey Sports Park on Thursday morning, topping 14th-ranked Netherlands, 17-3.
Jessi Steinberg scored her first of six goals to open the scoring just 46 seconds into the game; she added two assists. Alison Curwin (three goals, one assist), Kim Dubansky (two goals, two assists), Jayme Verman (one goal, three assists), Emma Lazaroff (two goals) and Ali Steinberg (two goals) also had big days for the blue-and-white. Rachel Ozer scored once.
Blaire Nathanson (30:00, 2 saves, 1 GA) and Alex Freedman (30:00, 1 save, 2 GA) split time in goal; Nathanson was credited the win.
Israel takes on Czech Republic on Friday at 12:00 PM local / 2:00 PM Israel / 7:00 AM ET. The Czechs do not have a world ranking but are currently 7th in Europe (Israel is 4th).
The blue-and-white must go undefeated in their group to advance to the 10-team playoff bracket.
Schedule/Results
Thu, Jul 13 – Israel 17, Netherlands 3
Fri, Jul 14 at 12:00 PM – Israel vs. Czech Republic
Sun, Jul 16 at 2:00 PM – Israel vs. China
Mon, Jul 17 at 3:00 PM – Israel vs. Belgium
*Playoffs begin on July 18th
Additional caps – Sarah Andersen, Nikol Baglay, Jenna Baverman, Gabriela Cheban, Shirel Fresh, Leah Israel, Megan Lerner, Sarah Meisenberg, Courtney Miller