US Field Hockey News

U.S. Women to Meet Great Britain in Philadelphia Friendly

Colorado Springs (Sept. 18) - The U.S. Field Hockey women's national team will meet rival Great Britain in an exhibition "friendly"  at 2:30 p.m., Oct. 4 at the Univ. of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field.

The match will follow the Pennsylvania vs. Dartmouth Ivy League game, scheduled for noon. There is no charge for admission to the games.

The international match will serve as a warm-up for the teams as they prepare for the 2nd International Atlantic Cup, Oct. 8-12, in Virginia Beach. The U.S. and Great Britain will be joined by Germany and Japan at the four-nation tournament, with all four teams seeking to qualify for the 2004 Olympic Games at next year's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in New Zealand.

The game could also serve as a homecoming for seven Pennsylvania natives on the U.S. team including Kate Barber (West Chester), Katie Beach (West Lawn), Tracey Larson (Morrisville), Carissa Messimer (Mountaintop), Amy Tran (Grantville), Kristen McCann (Allentown) and Keli Smith (Selinsgrove).

The "Friendly in Philly" also represents the first international competition for head coach Beth Anders and the U.S. team since capturing the silver medal at the Pan American Games in August in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Fresh off performances at the European Nations Cup, the Great Britain squad features a combination of athletes from England, Wales and Scotland looking to earn spots on next year's Olympic Qualifier squad. England placed fourth at the Nations Cup.

The Great Britain roster includes 2000 Olympian Rhona Simpson as well as England World Cup team members Jennie Bimson, Sarah Blanks, Helen Grant, France Houslop and Rachel Walker. In addition to Simpson, members of the Scotland team joining the squad as Great Britain include Vikki Bunce, Louise Carroll, Linda Clement, Emma Rochlin and Cheryl Valentine. The five Scots appeared at the first International Atlantic Cup in 2002 before representing Scotland at the 2002 World Cup. Wales is represented on the Great Britain team by Sarah Thomas and Michelle Thomas.

The U.S. rivalry with England/Great Britain dates back to 1920 when a team of Philadelphia-area women traveled to England for games with the All England ladies Hockey Association. The women were the first team to represent the U.S. in any international team sport against England. The Philadelphia Field Hockey Association hosted the first English Touring Team the following year, where the visitors outscored the home team during the series of games by a 252-10 total.

The rivalry also includes a 3-3 draw in a 1962 game played before 56,000 spectators at England's legendary Wembley Stadium. In an era before the World Cup or the inclusion of women's hockey in the Olympic Games, the game solidified the USA's place among the world's hockey elite.

Most recently, Great Britain defeated the U.S. 1-0 at the 1996 Olympic Games, while England defeated the U.S. 1-0 at the 2002 World Cup.

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