US Field Hockey News

USA Downs Germany; Japan Secures Spot in Finals at International Atlantic Cup

Virginia Beach, Va. (Oct. 9) – Japan secured a spot in Sunday’s championship game and the United States took a big step toward that same goal in the second day of play at field hockey’s International Atlantic Cup.

The USA improved to 1-0-1 with a 2-1 win over Germany (0-2) at the four-nation tournament and needs a victory or draw against Japan on Saturday or a loss or draw by Great Britain against Germany to advance to Sunday’s final. Japan secured its spot in the final and raised its record to 2-0 with a 2-0 win over Great Britain (0-1-1).

“It definitely gives us something to build on,” said USA coach Beth Anders following the win over Germany. “I think we made adjustments and the players responded very well and really played hard the entire game. It’s growth and it’s a process and today we took a step in the right direction.”

Against the world’s 7^th ranked team, the USA opened the scoring when Jill Reeve (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.) connected on a penalty corner shot in the 19^th minute. Abbey Woolley (Ocean City, N.J.) extended the lead to 2-0 with a reverse stick goal in the 27^th minute.

Germany quickly answered two minutes later when Nadine Ersting-Krienke scored off Germany’s counter attack to cut the USA lead to 2-1 at halftime.

In the second half, Germany continued to test the USA defense as Germany out shot the U.S., 17-7.  But goalkeeper Peggy Storrar (12 saves) shutout the European Cup bronze medallists for the remainder of the day as the USA held on for the victory.

The game also marked a milestone in the career of the USA’s Tracey Fuchs who extended her national record for international appearances to 250.

“It’s fun and I love my teammates and I love playing,” said Fuchs. “Hopefully I can get a few more games in before (the Olympic Games in) Athens.”

The U.S. will join all four International Atlantic Cup teams and six other nations at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in March 2004 New Zealand. The top four/five teams from the tournament will join the five continental champions at the 2004 Olympic Games.

Japan 2, Great Britain 0

Japan secured its spot in Sunday’s final after getting past a stubborn Great Britain squad, 2-0.

The two teams battled evenly throughout the first half before Japan’s Tomomi Komori tapped in a loose ball in front of an empty Britain cage with two minutes left in the half to give her team a 1-0 halftime lead.

Japan added an insurance goal in the 52^nd minute when Naoko Saito flicked in a penalty corner rebound for a 2-0 lead and a trip to the final.

“We couldn’t move as fast today. We were not as sharp,” said Japan coach Tsuda Toshiro who added that his team would improve during the remainder of the tournament.

With the win, Japan raised its record to 2-0 while Great Britain fell to 0-1-1.

“”I’m a little disappointed,” said Britain coach Mike Gilbert. “But Japan played really well. In order for us to improve we’re going to have to get better at controlling the game through possession of the ball.. But playing together will continue our growth as a team.”

Following a rest day on Friday, the teams will conclude round-robin play with the USA taking on Japan at 2 p.m. followed by Great Britain and Germany at 4 p.m.

United States, Germany
USA: Jill Reeve (19:00, PC)
USA: Abbey Woolley (27:00, FG)
GER: Nadine Ersting-Krienke (29:00, FG)

USA Starters: Peggy Storrar (GK), Tara Jelley, Tracey Larson Tracey Fuchs, Kelli Gannon, Katie Beach, Keli Smith, Jill Reeve, Carrie Lingo, Kate Barber, Dina Rizzo

Reserves: Kristen McCann, Abbey Woolley, Rachel Barger

GERMANY
Starters: Mandy Haase, Nadine Ernsting-Krienke, Anneke Bohmert, Natascha Keller, Fredericke Barth, Silke Muller, Marion Rodewald, Nina Kramer, Anke Kuhn, Julia Zwehl, Franziska Gude

Reserves: Alexandra Kollmar, Kerstin Hoyer, Miriam Schmid, Janina Totzke, Eileen Hoffman

Japan 2, Great Britain 0
JPN: Tomomi Komori (32:00, FG)
JPN: Naoko Saito (62:00, PC)

JAPAN
Starters: Rie Terazono (GK), Keiko Miura, Akemi Kato, Yukari Yamamoto, Sachimi Iwao, Sakae Morimoto, Naoko Saito, Akiko Kitada, Tomomi Komori, Rika Komazawa, Emi Sakurai

Reserves: Yuko Kitano, Rika Ishida, Mayumi Ono, Yuka Ogura, Chie Kimura

Great Britain Starters: Michelle Thomas (GK), Jennie Bimson, Linda Clement, Kath Gray, Sarah Thomas, Anne Panter, Frances Houslop, Crista Cullen, Cheryl Valentina, Rachel Walker, Emma Rochlin

Reserves: Vikki Bunce, Louise Carroll, Sarah Blanks

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