Day 4: USA vs. Enkoping

Today the team made their own breakfasts in the cottages, with eggs, bread and juice provided by the hosts. After eating, the WNT walked over to the gym and got ready for practice to begin at 10am.

This time the WNT was on their own, joined only by guest coaches Claes and Thomas for another intense training session. As a world-famous goalkeeper himself, Claes took Erika Bohn, Erica Keppel and Jacque Messel to work on special goalie tactics while Thomas ran the rest of the practice as his official try-out for the WNT assistant coach position.

Claes, Thomas, and Christian

Claes talks to the circles, while Thomas gives advice to the wings

The team with Claes and Thomas

After nearly two hours, the WNT packed it in and headed back to the cottages to shower and have lunch. With the evening's game at 7pm, there was enough time for people to rest and relax, try to find an internet connection, and grab some food at the grocery store.

At 4:30pm, the team headed into a bus and traveled 30 minutes to Enkoping where they would face the Division 2 club at 7pm. After arriving, the club provided sandwiches and snacks for the team in a cafe attached to the gym.

Following "snack time"- the team headed to the locker room to prepare for the game. After getting dressed and having a team meeting, the players were brought out for their big presentation on the court. Each of the ladies was given a small child and together they ran out onto the court while a giant spotlight followed them. The announcers introduced the team, played the American and Swedish national anthems and then got the game going while a crowd of 400 cheered in the stands.

Sadly, the WNT got off to a slow start, and ended the first half 17-13. The USA struggled with 18 turnovers in the first thirty minutes, giving Enkoping an unusually high number of fast breaks to run-up the score. After regrouping at halftime, the WNT came back to win the game in the second half with a final score of 32-25, keeping second half turnovers to five.

Melanie McCormick was one of the top scorers of the game, putting in an impressive six goals from the right wing. Goalie Erika Bohn also had a phenomenal game, with a saving percentage of over 50%. Overall, the USA took control of the game with a simple game plan, precise shots, and a minimum of turnovers.

It was the first win of the tour for the WNT, but it was also a valuable lesson in keeping mistakes to a minimum. Despite an unimpressive first half, the WNT kept their composure, cleaning things up to come back from behind and maintain a solid lead through the end of the second half.

Hopefully the WNT will continue to make improvements and raise their level of play as they prepare for their third game against another Division 1 team on Tuesday night.

USA 32, Enkoping 25