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USA Field Hockey News
Lingo’s Hat Trick Sparks USA Win: USA Field Hockey Women Down Netherlands Antilles in Pan Am Opener RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Carrie Lingo (Rehoboth Beach, Del.) scored three goals as the USA Field Hockey women’s team overcame an early deficit to defeat a surprising Netherlands Antilles team 4-1 in the Pan American Games opener for both teams. “I think I was just in the right place at the right time,” laughed Lingo on her Pan Am hat trick. “Honestly, finishing off is just the last step. Most of the time everyone else is doing the hard work.” Although making its Pan Am Games debut, Netherlands Antilles showed no signs of first-game jitters as the team coolly took the early lead on Floortje Jpoosten's field goal in the 17th minute. The Netherlands Antilles began international play in 2004 and benefited from the infusion of players seasoned in the high level club leagues of the Netherlands including Ernestine Schreuder and Theresia Noorlander. “I thought we were tested by a very good team today,” said USA coach Lee Bodimeade. “No doubt about that. I thought Netherlands Antilles started the game a lot better than we did. They were deservedly 1-nil up and probably unlucky not to be up more. But when we started to settle down and made a couple of changes in our midfield, we turned the game around.” Plagued by uncharacteristic turnovers early in the game, the USA finally got on the scoreboard when Lingo directed a pass into the goal to even the game at halftime at 1-1. “Lee always says ‘we persist and we persist,’ and I think everyone showed that today,” said Lingo on the team’s ability to overcome the early deficit. “We were able to finish off strong.” The rejuvenated USA quickly took the lead in the second half when Lingo knocked in her second goal of the game off of a penalty corner in the 39th minute. “We just said look, we’ve toiled and we fought hard and now we have an opportunity to start again,” said Bodimeade on his halftime talk to the team,. “They took that opportunity – thank goodness for that – and I thought they played very well in the second half.” Lingo added her third straight goal of the game off another penalty corner in the 61st minute before goalkeeper Amy Tran (Grantville, Pa.) squelched any hopes of a Netherlands Antilles comeback when she stopped a 2-on-1 breakaway with six minutes left in the match. Keli Smith (Selinsgrove, Pa.) added the team’s final goal as time expired to give the USA the 4-1 win and the top spot in the Pool B standings. In the opening day’s other games, Chile defeated Brazil 6-0, Argentina routed host Brazil 21-0 and Cuba upset Canada 3-1. The USA women continue pool-play action on Tuesday against Cuba. “It was a really tough game and one I’m sure will be very, very beneficial for us in this tournament,” said Bodimeade. “I’m just really happy to get a win over a team like that.” USA 4,
Netherlands Antilles 1 Sun Safe Play!: USA Field Hockey and the USA National Team promote healthy and sun-smart decisions through their sun safety program, Sun Safe Play. Dedicated to the memory of former field hockey coach and USA team member Maria Whitehead and in partnership with the Melanoma International Foundation, Sun Safe Play seeks to educate young athletes on the prevention and detection of melanoma and skin cancer. Whitehead died of cancer in November 2006 at the age of 25. USA Field Hockey 2007 Pan American Games Team
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