The U.S. Field Hockey Women’s National Team will get a sneak preview of the 2000 Olympic Games venue, as well as a good look at the tournament favorite, when the team travels to Sydney, Australia for the Olympic Test event, September 22-26.

Conducted at the Olympic Hockey venue -- the State Hockey Centre at Homebush Bay -- the four-nation tournament features the U.S. team along with China, 1992 Olympic champion Spain and defending Olympic and World Cup champion Australia. The Olympic favorite heading into Sydney, Australia has already earned its spot in the 2000 Olympic tournament as the host country and defending Olympic champion. Currently ranked 15^th in the world, Spain will attempt to qualify for the Olympic Games at the 5th European Nations Cup this month in Cologne, Germany. The U.S., ranked eighth in the world, will get its final chance to qualify at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Milton Keynes, England in March, 2000. China is ranked 11^th in the world ranking following its 11^th place finish at the 1998 World Cup.

"As a team, we’re really looking forward to Sydney," said U.S. coach Tracey Belbin, whose U.S. squad placed second at the Pan American Games held earlier in August in Winnipeg. "It’s a chance to play some different teams and check out the facilities that, hopefully, we will be making use of next year. I think it is interesting that Australia has selected these three teams to play against in a test event, considering the current world ranking of each team. I am eager to see the team that they put forward."

The tournament will be a homecoming of sorts for the Australian-born Belbin who won a gold medal as a member of the 1988 Australia Olympic Team. Belbin also sees the tournament as a chance to gain experience for some of the team’s younger members.
"It’s an opportunity for the US to blood some more of its national squad members," said Belbin. "The more depth we can achieve the better it will be for US hockey. The tournament will be difficult, but it gives us another chance to try new things with the National team, while gaining international experience."

Toepel and Larson will miss part of their collegiate seasons at North Carolina and Penn State to attend the event.

The test event will also include a men’s four-nation event featuring Champion’s Trophy winner Australia, Pan Am Games champion Canada, Asian Games champion India and Asian Games runner-up Korea. Australia, Canada and India have already clinched spots in the Olympic tournament.

Women's National Team Test Event Roster