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US Field Hockey Women to Meet South Africa on East Coast Tour

COLORADO SPRINGS -- The U.S. Field Hockey Women's National Team will play host to their first official international competition in the United States since 1996, when the team faces South Africa in a four-game series on the U.S. East Coast.

            The U.S. squad will take on South Africa in official International Hockey Federation (FIH) matches on Oct 13 at Boston College, Oct 14 at the University of Connecticut, Oct. 16 at Springfield (Mass.) College, and Oct 20 in Virginia Beach, Va. at the new U.S. Field Hockey National Training Center at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.

            The contests mark the first time the U.S. women have played official matches on U.S. soil since the Atlanta Olympic Games.

            “This is a great opportunity to re-introduce our athletes to the fans and young field hockey players in this country,” said U.S. Field Hockey President Sharon Taylor. “With the residency program in full swing and the new training facility in Virginia Beach, this group lives, works, studies and trains next door to their friends and neighbors everyday. They truly are America’s hometown team, and we’re happy to let America see them play.”

            The games at Boston College and Springfield College will be part of international/collegiate doubleheaders at the two sites. Yale will take on Boston College after the USA/RSA game at the Boston site, while Springfield College will host Smith College as part of the double bill at Springfield, Mass.

In addition to the games, members of the U.S. team will conduct clinics for young players at sites along the tour including the Boston area (Oct. 12), Springfield, Mass. (Oct. 15), Philadelphia/So. New Jersey (Oct. 18) and Virginia Beach (Oct. 20).

Rivalry Renewed

            The games with South Africa renew a rivalry last played at the 1998 World Cup when South Africa won two games between the teams, including a dramatic penalty stroke victory in the 7th/8th place classification game. South Africa placed 10th at the Sydney Olympic Games, and the South African training squad for the U.S. tour currently lists nine members from the Olympic team including USA nemesis Piete Coetzee, Lindsey Carlisle and Inke van Wyke. Coetzee score two goals against the U.S. in a 2-1 South Africa win at the World Cup, and joined the USA's Tracey Fuchs on the 1999 FIH President's XI World All-Star Team.

            The tour games will give the teams a preview of each other prior to December's Champions Challenge competition in India. England, Germany, Korea and host India will join the USA and South Africa at the six-nation tournament. The Champions Challenge represents the top six teams in the world that did not qualify for the Champions Trophy competition.

            The East Coast tour follows the U.S. women's trip to the World Cup Qualifying Tournament, Sept. 17-30, in Amiens/Abbeville, France, where the team will look to earn a berth in the 2002 World Cup. South Africa has already secured its spot in the World Cup as the Africa Cup of Nations champion.

            Tickets for the tour are available through the U.S. Field Hockey National Office at 719-578-4567. All tickets are $5 and all seats are general admission.

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