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U.S. Women to Host Mexico, Ireland, Scotland in Atlantic Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Before taking on the best in the World at this fall's World Cup, the U.S. Field Hockey women's national team will try to prove it is the best team on either side of the Atlantic when the U.S. hosts Mexico, Ireland and Scotland in the International Atlantic Cup, Oct. 5-13, at the U.S. Field Hockey National Training Center in Virginia Beach.

   Presented by Cox Communications, the tournament represents a World Cup preview for the USA, Ireland and Scotland who have secured their tickets to field hockey's world championship tournament, Nov. 24-Dec. 8 in Perth, Australia. The Atlantic Cup also serves as Mexico's tune-up for the Central American/Caribbean Games, Nov. 25-Dec. 4, 2002  in Puerto Rico.

Daily tickets for the tournament are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Additional ticket information is available by calling 719-866-4567

"It’s great. It's a chance to play in Virginia Beach again," says U.S. head coach Tracey Belbin. "The fact that we’re playing Ireland and Scotland who are going to the World Cup is a good benchmark for us and we can see basically where we are."

Scotland came off the extra-time loss to Ireland at the Nations Cup Qualifier to place 6th at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in a field that included World Cup teams New Zealand, Australia and England.  At the World Cup qualifying Tournament, Scotland defeated India on Rhona Simpson's golden goal in earn in spot in the World Cup and send India to its eventual qualifying series against the United States.

The young Mexico team won't be going to the World Cup this year, but the team has earned a spot in the first Indoor World Cup next year in Germany. Mexico's last second 2-1 win over the U.S. Under-23 team helped the team clinch second place at the Indoor Pan America Cup and earned Mexico its spot in next year's inaugural FIH indoor event. Mexico can clinch a spot in next year's Pan American Games with at least a second place finish at the Cental American/Caribbean Games. Mexico placed 7th in the 7-team field at the 1999 Pan American Games.