US Field Hockey News

US Field Hockey Names Women’s Champions Challenge Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – U.S. Field Hockey has named its team for the 2^nd FIH Women’s Champions Challenge, July 5-13 in Catania, Italy.

      Initiated in 2002 to showcase the international game’s 7^th-12^th ranked teams, the Champions Challenge will feature 7th ranked Germany, #8 Spain, #9 USA, #10 Japan, #11 New Zealand and host Italy. The U.S. is making its second straight appearance in the tournament after earning a 5^th place finish in last year’s event, and is the only team returning to the Challenge from last year’s six-team field.

      The event also marks the U.S. team’s final international competition prior to the Pan American Games, Aug. 2-13 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The winner of the Pan Am Games earns the North and South American continent’s automatic berth in the 2004 Olympic Games. 

      The USA’s 18-member team for the Champions Challenge features Kate Barber (West Chester, Pa.), Katie Beach (West Lawn, Pa.), Jessica Coleman (Oceanport, N.J.), Natalie Dawson (Berlin, N.J.), Tracey Fuchs (Centereach, N.Y.), Kelli Gannon (Escondido, Calif.), Tara Jelley (Greenfield, Mass.), Robyn Kenney (Readington, N.J.), Tracey Larson (Morrisville, Pa.), Carrie Lingo (Rehoboth Beach, Del.), Kristen McCann (Allentown, Pa.), Jill Reeve (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.),  Dina Rizzo (Walpole, Mass.), Keli Smith (Selinsgrove, Pa.), Mimi Smith (Virginia Beach, Va.), Abbey Woolley (Ocean City, N.J.) and goalkeepers Peggy Storrar (Mahopac, N.Y.) and Amy Tran (Grantville, Pa.).

      The tournament marks the first major international event for U.S. players Coleman, Rizzo and Woolley, while Storrar could record her 100^th career appearance during the tournament. The U.S. goalkeeper enters the event with 96 international caps. Also in line to reach milestone 50^th international appearances at the tournament are McCann (48), Jelley (47), Mimi Smith (47) and Carrie Lingo (44).