Oct. 4, 2012

DUBLIN - UMass field hockey assistant coach Shannon Taylor and former goalkeeper Alesha Widdall continued their run with Team USA through the Champions Challenge with a 7-2 drubbing of Wales during quarterfinal action on Thursday morning. Taylor provided two goals during the contest while Widdall again saw time in net for the U.S. side.

Entering the tournament as the 11th-ranked team in the world, Team USA dispatched Wales (No. 27) with ease - earning a 3-1 halftime advantage before turning the contest into a rout with four consecutive goals in the second half en route to a five-goal margin of victory. Taylor provided a pair of tallies on the contest, her first multi-goal effort of the tournament.

Ahead by two in the 31st minute, Taylor redirected a deflected shot by teammate Torrie Albini into the Wales cage to extend the advantage to 3-0. Taylor added her second goal during the opening stages of the second half, padding the lead to 4-0 with a close-range shot.

Widdall, in her rookie campaign with the national side, continues to gain experience in the cage for Team USA, splitting time on the contest against Wales with Jaclyn Kintzer.

The U.S. National Team continues play at the Champions Challenge on Oct. 6 against Ireland after the host side downed Belgium, 2-1 to advance. Taylor and Widdall will be in search of their second win over Ireland in the tournament after downing the squad during group play, 3-1 to secure the top spot in Pool B on Oct. 2.