Field Hockey News: USA Field Hockey Men Eye Medals, Respect in Pan Am Opener

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (July 14) – The USA Field Hockey men begin their bid to take home a medal, earn some international respect and keep alive an Olympic dream when the team opens play against rival Chile at the Pan American Games.

“Realistically, I would suggest we are medal contenders,” says head coach Nick Conway on his sixth-seeded USA squad. “If we can win a medal we would certainly consider that a major achievement and a reward for all of their hard work. Outside of a medal, we want to make sure we earn a spot in an Olympic Qualifier, and I think as a group we would feel that we let ourselves down if we don’t achieve that.”

While the winner of the Pan Am Games tournament earns the continent’s automatic spot in the 2008 Olympic Games, a new Olympic qualifying procedure also rewards teams for placing high in the Pan Am Games tournament. Teams placing 2-5 in the men’s tournament earn spots in one of three Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in early 2008 and can keep alive their Beijing dreams. In previous years, a low international ranking prevented the U.S. men from any additional chance to qualify for the Olympic Games.

The U.S. men can take a big step toward reaching their goal of playing for a medal and earning a spot in an Olympic qualifying tournament when they take on rival Chile in their opening game on Monday. The two teams have a history of hard-fought games including a 0-0 draw to open the 2003 Pan Am Games. The draw eventually cost the USA a spot in the semifinals as Chile advanced to the semis on goal differential. The U.S. continues play against Pool B favorite Canada (July 18) and Netherlands Antilles (July 20) before continuing on to crossover and classification games.

“It is what it is,” said Conway on the rivalry game to start the tournament. “It’s not the end-all of games but it certainly puts the winner in the driver’s seat as far as pushing for a semifinal seat. We’ll certainly be out to win the game as I’m sure so are they. I’m sure our guys can handle the pressure when it counts.”

Conway will look to a core of nine players with previous Pan Am experience to held handle that pressure including captain and three-time Pan Am Team member Shawn Nakamura (Camarillo, Calif.).

“We’ve had some really good preparation leading up to this tournament with our series against Mexico, the four games against Trinidad & Tobago and the four nation. tournament in China,” said Nakamura. “I think all of that has given us a good shot to do well at this tournament. We’re looking to medal.”

In addition to Nakamura, vice-captain Pat Cota (Camarillo, Calif.) and defender Rinku Bhamber (Simi Valley, Calif.) will also be making their third Pan Am Games appearances while goal-scoring threats Pat Harris (Moorpark, Calif.) and Jarred Martin (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), goalkeepers Jason Wellings (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) and Jeb Saez (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), defender Brian Schledorn (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) and forward Ian Scally (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) will make their second appearances at the Games.

The U.S. roster also includes first-time Pan Am Games participants including Nate Coolidge (Sandwich, Mass.), Remco Couwenberth (Northridge, Calif.), Jed Cunningham (Moorpark, Calif.), Jon Ginolfi (Simi Valley, Calif.), Mick Harner (Hanover, Pa.), Sean Harris (Moorpark, Calif.) and Binh Hoang (Westlake Village, Calif.).

After two consecutive fifth place finishes at the Games, the U.S. men could also continue their climb up the international standings and earn some international respect should the team earn its first Pan Am medal since 1995.

“We’re optimistic,” said Conway on his team’s chances at meeting their tournament goals. “We’re comfortable with our structure and our preparation. We’re just anxious to move forward and get on with our first game.”

FAMILY TIES - In addition to brothers Pat and Shawn Harris, Binh Hoang is also continuing a family tradition at the Games. Binh’s brother Tommy played as a member of the 1987 U.S. team that won a Pan Am bronze medal in Indianapolis.

Sisters Rachel and Sarah Dawson (Berlin, N.J.) are competing for the U.S. women’s team.

Name	Pos	Hometown	Date of Birth	Caps
Rinku Bhamber	Def	Simi Valley, Calif.	19 Feb 79	52
Nate Coolidge	Fwd	Sandwich, Mass.	6 Dec 83	11
Pat Cota	Def	Camarillo, Calif.	14 June 79	54
Remco Couwenbergh	Mid	Northridge, Calif.	27 Oct 86	11
Jed Cunningham	Fwd	Moorpark, Calif.	19 Jan 88	12
Jonathan Ginolfi	Mid	Simi Valley, Calif.	17 Aug 88	17
Mick Harner	Def	Hanover, Pa.	4 Aug 80	14
Pat Harris	Mid	Moorpark, Calif.	13 March 85	43
Sean Harris	Mid	Moorpark, Calif.	3 Oct 86	16
Binh Hoang	Fwd	Westlake Village, Calif.	10 May 74	25
Jarred Martin	Fwd	Saratoga Springs, N.Y.	2 May 82	49
Shawn Nakamura	Def	Camarillo, Calif.	1 June 78	53
Jeb Saez	GK	Thousand Oaks, Calif.	27 Jan 84	19
Ian Scally	Fwd	Thousand Oaks, Calif.	10 Jan 79	30
Brian Schledorn	Def	Thousand Oaks, Calif.	5 Nov 76	37
Jason Wellings	GK	Thousand Oaks, Calif.	26 Mar 75	26
High Performance Coach
Nick Conway
*Caps as of June 3, 2007