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US Women's National Team and the Univ. of Maryland

US Women Showcase Skills in Collegiate Challenge Win at Maryland

College Park, Md. -  The U.S. Field Hockey women's national team put a full range of its considerable talent on display before 1,287 fans at the Univ. of Maryland as the USA defeated last year's NCAA runners-up, 10-0, as part of the Collegiate Challenge tour.

"It's geat to see so many people come out to support hockey," said U.S. coach Tracey Belbin, whose team has used the tour to help prepare for the World Cup in November. "We started slowly, but as the game progressed, I thought our passing patterns were really good and we played with pace this time. I though we  had some really beautfiul goals -- some individual stuff and some really great passing in the circle. Overall, we need to tidy up our corner execution, but I thought it was a good performance."

The game served as a homecoming for former Maryland All-America selections Carla Tagliente, Katie Kauffman Beach and Keli Smith who returned to the College Park campus as members of the U.S. team. Tagliente scored two goals  to become the second U.S. player in as many games to victimize her former team. Former Univ. of Michigan standout Kelli Gannon scored the rain-soaked gamewinner in a 1-0 win over Michigan in the first game of the tour.

"It was nice coming back and seeing everyone and playing at Maryland again," said Tagliente who served as a student assistant coach on last year's Terrpain squad. "I didn't go into it with a lot of expectations. It's more with a focus on what we need to do as a (U.S.) team, but it's nice to be back."

Tagliente was joined in the scoring column by Gannon, Kristen McCann (2), Tracey Fuchs (2), Kim Miller, Kate Barber and Tara Jelley. Goalkeepers Peggy Storrar and Jill Dedman faced just one Maryland shot in securing the shutout, while Maryland starting keeper Kerry Hearsey allowed eight goals but made 16 saves.

The teams concluded the festivities by signing autographs for hundred of young fans following the game.

"It's certainly  an honor to have the national team here," said Maryland coach Missy Meharg. "I was really glad to see the U.S. team play at such a consistent level of intensity. That was really nice for us in helping teach our team that level of play for 70 minutes. I think we got taught some serious lessons and I know they will be very valuable at this time. We have almost all freshmen and sophomores on the field so I'm really encouraged by the game."

A four-game series at the home campuses of last year's NCAA semifinalist teams, the Collegiate Challenge resumes for the U.S. team on Sept. 5 at Wake Forest before concluding Sept. 7 at Princeton.

Sunday, August 25 at College Park, Md.

USA 10,  Univ. of Maryland 0

USA: Kristen McCann (pc, 9:00)
USA: Carla Tagliente (pc, 12:00)
USA: Kim Miller (fg, 25:00)
USA: Kelli Gannon (fg, 35:00)
USA: Tracey Fuchs (fg, 41:00)
USA: Carla Tagliente (fg, 47:00)
USA: Kate Barber (pc, 50:00)
USA: Tara Jelley (fg, 52:00)
USA: Kristen McCann (fg, 68:00)
USA: Tracey Fuchs (pc, 70:00)

USA Starters: Kristen McCann, Peggy Storrar (gk), Tracey Larson, Kelli Gannon, Tracey Fuchs, Katie Beach, Carla Tagliente, Keli Smith, Jill Reeve, Carrie Lingo, Kate Barber

Subs: Mimi Smith, Kim Miller, Tara Jelley, Melanie Meerschwam, Jill Dedman (gk)

Maryland Starters: Kerry Hearsey (gk), Amber McQuillin, Colleen Barbieri, Carissa Messimer, Katrin Rummer, Courtney Thornton, Kristin Harris, Emity Boyer, Sara Silvetti, Kateri Simon, Lauren Powley

Subs: Jackie Ciconte, Tiffany Marsh, Tori Cano (gk)

Cards: UMD Sara Silvettti (G, 54), USA: Tracey Larson (G, 22), Carrie Lingo (G, 34)

Umpires: Cheryl Bruttomesso, Carissa April

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