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US Field Hockey Women Fall to England, 2-0, at Champions Challenge

Randburg, South Africa -- England capitalized on two early scoring opportunities and English goalkeeper Hilary Rose held the U.S. scoreless as England topped the U.S. women's field hockey team, 2-0, at the Champions Challenge.

            England notched both goals early in the first seven minutes of play as Melanie Clewlow connected on a penalty corner in the second minute and Sarah Blanks converted a second penalty corner five minutes later. The goals were all England would need as Rose, an assistant coach and former All-America goalkeeper at the Univ. of Massachusetts-Amherst, handed the U.S. its first defeat of the tournament.

            The loss leaves the U.S. in with 1 win, 2 draws and a loss at the six-team tournament, while England remained undefeated with a 3-0-1 mark. Wednesday's complete schedule included an India/Korea battle for second place in the tournament and a Russia/South Africa match to avoid the standings' cellar. Round-robin play continues, Friday, Feb. 15, with the USA taking on Korea, India battling Korea and England meeting South Africa. The tournament concludes Sunday with classification matches.

            The game marked the 150th career international appearance for the USA's Antoinette Lucas. A 1996 Olympian, Lucas rejoined the team in 2001 after a brief retirement in 2000.  A two-time All-America selection at Northwestern Univ., she has appeared on three US World Cup teams including the 1994 bronze medal squad.

Feb. 13  at Randburg

ENGLAND 2, USA 0
ENG: Melanie Clewlow (pc, 2:00)
ENG: Sarah Blanks (pc, 7:00)

USA Starters (date of birth, caps):
Mimi Smith (10/5/77; 24), Kristin McCann (8/22/78; 21), Peggy Storrar (2/20/71; 69);  Tracey Fuchs (11/3/66; 208), Antoinette Lucas (10./27/68; 150), Katie Kauffman (9/26/74; 102), Keli Smith (1/25/79; 4), Carla Tagliente (1/2/79; 54), Jill Reeve (11/1/69; 110), Carrie Lingo (9/27/79), Kate Barber (11/22/76; 64)
Subs:  Kim Miller (1/22/78; 14), Tracey Larson (5/1/78; 26),Melanie Meerschwam (2/17/79, 20), Natalie Dawson (12/13/78, 11)

England Starters:
Jennie Bimson, Sarah Blanks, Melanie Clewlow, Helen Grant, Leiss King, Denise Marston-Smith, Helen Richardson, Hilary Rose (gk), Kate Walsh, Lucilla Wright, Frances Houslop

Subs: Anna Bennet, Kristy Dowden, Imogen Robertson, Lisa Wooding, Alex Danson