DAY SIX
France 3, Mexico 1
Belgium 3, Canada 1
Korea 3, USA 1
The Women's National Team fell to Korea, 3-1, in the final of the AtaHolding Women's World Cup Qualifier at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. Kim Jongeun scored two goals as Korea earned a trip to the 2010 Women's World Cup. The USA finished with the silver medal.
Korea took the lead late in the first half, as Park knocked in a penalty corner shot in the 28th minute. Carrie Lingo tied the contest in the 47th to spark the U.S. team, but Korea scored two goals near the end of the contest to seal the victory.
"It's difficult at the moment to look at ways of explaining it," said Bodimeade. "We had opportunities. The game plan we had in place was working extremely well for us and when we got back to 1-1 we had a couple of chances to go in front and we didn't take them. At this level, you pay the price if you don't take those chances."
The USA controlled most of the action in the second half, applying constant pressure on the Korea defense. The American backfield was repeatedly able to create turnovers and had opportunities for offensive plays in the scoring circle, but could not score.
"The tactical side of getting the ball away from them was working very well for us," said Bodimeade. "I thought we were very good at getting the ball away from them, but not capitalizing with a goal."
"It's a game of inches, and today the inches weren't falling our way," said Lingo. "We couldn't capitalize. We have several opportunities in the circle. We'll learn from that and improve."
Bodimeade suggested the pressure of the final may have affected play in spots.
"There are things that we did on the field that I don't think we did well at critical moments," said Bodimeade. "As we persisted and things didn't go our way, we had two green cards and a yellow, and that was an indication we weren't handling the pressure as well as we should."
"The best lessons you learn are from losses," said Lingo. "Finishing in the circle is a big lesson. We'll improve that."
"This game is was what you expect from the #10 team in the world playing the #11 team in the world," said Bodimeade.
The loss is a disappointment, but the Women's National Team will persevere.
"I'm disappointed, but the U.S. has a history of doing things the hard way," said Lingo. "We'll learn and be better for this loss."
"Life goes on," said Bodimeade. "The World Cup is a big tournament, but it's just a tournament. We're about preparing for qualification for 2012 Olympics and then performing well in London. It's a big loss to have at this stage, but it only takes a block out of our program. We're still going to play Argentina in May, we're still going on a European tour, and then we look to the 2011 Pan American Games."
FINALS - PREVIEW
DAY FIVE HIGHLIGHTS
DAY FIVE
France 6, Mexico 1
Korea 3, Belgium 2
USA 3, Canada 1
CHULA VISTA, CA - The USA Field Hockey Women's National Team defeated Canada today, 3-1, in the final round-robin game of the AtaHolding Women's World Cup Qualifier at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. Rachel Dawson scored two goals to pace the USA.
The USA will face Korea in the Qualifier Final on Saturday at 2:30pm for a spot in the 2010 Women's World Cup in Rosario, Argentina. The Qualifier Finals will be video webcast live.
"It was a tough match," said Head Coach Lee Bodimeade. "I love this USA/Canada rivalry we have. Regardless of either team's standing in the world, you get a great contest and that was proven again today."
Before the match, Dawson was presented flowers to recognize her 100th international appearance. She celebrated by scoring two penalty corner goals to lead the USA offense.
"It was really great to execute a few variations," said Dawson. "The first one was a tip-in, which is unusual for me, and the second was just a straight shot. It was good to get the flow and rhythm going."
Jesse Gey added a third goal late in the game. Sara Silvetti trapped a ball at the top of the circle shot the ball on goal. It missed, but caught an umpire in the shin. The ball stayed in the field of play and Gey knocked it in.
"We were laughing," said Gey, "because a few weeks ago, we were playing a scrimmage game and the ball hit our umpire, Assistant Coach Nick Conway, and we didn't know what to do, and Nick said, 'Play on! It's still in play!' So when it happened today, I said 'Yes! It's still in play!'"
Canada added a penalty stroke goal from Diana Roemer in the final seconds.
Goalkeeper Jackie Kintzer made her first start of the tournament, relieving Amy Tran.
"We look at the burden that's put on the goalkeeper," said Bodimeade. "Not necessarily a physical effort, but certainly you have to up mentally for a long period of time. To give Amy a day off, so to speak, was something that we appreciated. Jackie's been keeping very well. We had the utmost confidence in starting Jackie today."
The USA completed round-robin play undefeated with a record of four winds and one draw for 13 points. They finished second in the standings behind Korea, who finished with an identical record and claimed the top spot based on goals scored.
Bodimeade said the team is ready for the final.
"We're about preparing ourselves for the final," said Bodimeade, "and I'm very happy with what we were able to achieve today. I'm very satisfied with our preparation and I don't think we could be in a better position heading in to the game on Saturday."
"We've been calling the tournament a series of steps," said Carrie Lingo. "Each game has been a step forward, and now it's time to take the final step. It will be an entire team effort."
DAY FIVE LIVE LINKS
The Women's National Team face Canada at 2:30pm Pacific today in their final day of round-robin competition at the AtaHoldiing Women's World Cup Qualifier in Chula Vista, CA. Follow all the action via live text updates and Twitter!
USA Field Hockey Twitter - Get complete tournament updates through your mobile phone with Twitter!
USA Field Hockey Facebook - Exclusive photos and videos of the USA games and USA Women's National Team will be available on the USA Field Hockey Facebook page!
Worldhockey.org - The official website of the FIH features a tournament specific site with full results and standings, game recaps, video interviews and action photos.
WorldHockey Facebook - Exclusive content is available through the FIH on Facebook!
Day Four Highlights
Belgium 6, France 0
Canada 4, Mexico 1
USA 2, Korea 2
CHULA VISTA, CA - The USA Field Hockey Women's National Team drew with Korea today, 2-2, in their fourth game of competition at the AtaHolding Women's World Cup Qualifier at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. The winner of the Qualifier receives a berth in the Women's World Cup in Rosario, Argentina this September.
In a possible preview of the tournament final, Claire Laubach scored USA both goals on first half penalty corner shots. Korea's Kim Darae scored two field goals for Korea to level the contest.
"A tough match, obviously," said Head Coach Lee Bodimeade. "We're pretty happy with the way we came out and got a couple of goals early. We knew Korea would come back at us and that's what they did."
In a tournament that until today had only featured only shutout victories, this contest was expected to be very competitive. USA and Korea are ranked #10 and #11 in the world, respectively.
"These games are unpredictable in what they present, and you need to get your opportunities when they come," said Bodimeade. "We put a lot of pressure on them early and it was pleasing to get a return."
"It was a great match," said Laubach. "The previous games we played led well into our performance today. Our first half performance set us up for success."
Laubach's goals came in the 11th and 16th minutes, identical shots that rocketed through the entire Korean defense straight into the goal.
"My drag flick felt good in practice," said Laubach, "so I just stepped up and put it in. It was nice to have the team's support. It took some of the pressure off."
Korea stepped up the pressure near the end of half, as Kim Darae scored one for Korea. In the second half, a breakaway in the 62nd minute gave Kim a one-on-one opportunity with USA goalkeeper Amy Tran, and she notched second goal to level the game.
"I felt we started the second half very well," said Bodimeade, "and had four or five chances we didn't take and we didn't convert. Leading into the weekend, it was almost pleasing to be punished for not doing some things well. It gives us plenty to work on before Saturday."
With Korea as one of the probable participants in the final, the USA used some of today's game as a strategy session, using the opportunity to study and test their opponent.
"We set out with a couple of goals, to test some different tactics again the Korean team," said team captain Carrie Lingo. "We played in and out of about five different styles to try and expose some of their weaknesses. I think we were successful."
"We learned a lot about how Korea plays," said Laubach. "We'll look at the video and find even more. We'll be ready if we see them again."
"Everything we've been training for the past three months have been leading up to the final on Saturday," said Lingo. "Tomorrow's game against Canada will be another important step and then we'll be ready."
Sara Silvetti earned her 100th international appearance in today's contest. Silvetti made her debut in the Spring of 2005 on a international tour to New Zealand.
"It's a long journey to get to a special milestone," said Silvetti. "It's satisfying. It feels great."
The USA will face Canada on Thursday, April 1 at 2:30 pm Pacific in their final game of round-robin play.
Day Three Highlights
Korea 11, Mexico 0
Canada 2, France 0
USA 3, Belgium 0
CHULA VISTA, CA - The USA Field Hockey Women's National Team defeated Belgium today, 3-0, in their third game of competition at the AtaHolding Women's World Cup Qualifier at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. The winner of the Qualifier receives a berth in the Women's World Cup in Rosario, Argentina this September.
Katie O'Donnell scored one goal and assisted another as the USA faced their first major challenge in the tournament. Belgium, previously undefeated in Qualifier play, held the USA offense at bay for times and pressured hard in the second half.
"It was a tough match," said Head Coach Lee Bodimeade. "We were up against a quality opponent today. We're pleased to get the win."
The USA was aggressive early, pushing into the French backfield and forcing penalty corners. On several occasions, USA shots were blocked, but Belgium failed to clear the ball from their own end. The USA players intercepted the attempts to clears and went right back in for another try.
The USA finally broke through in the 23rd minute, when Rachel Dawson fired a penalty corner blast for the first goal.
"At that moment it was 0-0, and I knew we needed a goal," said Dawson. "Lee gave me the first one [to strike] and it hit a Belgian foot, so we got another and he went with me again. He showed a lot of confidence in me. From there we controlled the first half."
Katie O'Donnell added a second goal in the 30th minute.
"It didn’t come easily," said O'Donnell. "There was some great passing by Carrie Lingo, and then Sara Silvetti seemed to tee it up for me and I hit it out the air."
"We wanted to get ahead early because we knew they would come at us in the second half," said Bodimeade.
Indeed, the balance of play shifted to Belgium in the second half. The second half began as a mirror image of the first, as Belgium forced play into the USA backfield. Belgium pressured the American defense and had opportunities to score.
"Belgium brought more pressure in the second half," said Bodimeade. "They had periods of ascendancy. There's no doubt about that."
"Belgium really had a go at us in the second half," said goalkeeper Amy Tran. "They really came out firing. But it was great to be challenged. I think our whole team stepped up."
The USA weathered the assault and did not allow a Belgium to get back into the game.
"I felt we were under control," said Bodimeade. "The shots they were getting were from wide angles and from deep in the circle. They created opportunities. But the best way to stop that is to go down and hit another goal."
In the 67th minute, Belgium's press resulted in a breakaway for Katie O'Donnell. Streaking past a defender, she spotted Katie Evans on the far side of the field. O'Donnell dumped the ball to Evans, and Evans scored the goal.
"I passed the defender running as fast as I could," said O'Donnell, "and then I saw Katie standing there, and I didn't know if I should shoot it or pass it but Katie was absolutely wide open, so I passed it."
Evans' goal shut the door on Belgium's attempted comeback.
"We put one away on them in their strongest press against us," said Tran.
"To be able to withstand the pressure they brought and then score a goal under that pressure relieved a lot of the tension," said Bodimeade. "That was fantastic."
"We threw everything we had at them today," said Belgium coach Murray Richards. "It wasn't enough. It's disappointing."
"In the second half we were playing more aggressively," said Belgium's Charlotte de Vos. "If we score one there it's a whole different game. But we didn't."
Katie O'Donnell's continues to elevate her game, as she has scored a goal in all three tournament games.
"It's awesome," said O'Donnell. "We couldn't have asked for a better end than shutout victory against one of the better teams here. This tournament is getting better and better for me."
The USA will face Korea on, Wednesday March 29 at 2:30 pm Pacific in a possible preview of the tournament final. Korea sits above the USA in first place with three wins, but owns an +11 goal differential after demolishing Mexico today, 11-0.
Day Two Highlights
Game Two: USA vs France
CHULA VISTA, CA - The USA Field Hockey Women's National Team defeated France today, 3-0, in their second game of competition at the AtaHolding Women's World Cup Qualifier at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. The winner of the Qualifier receives a berth in the Women's World Cup in Rosario, Argentina this September.
After two games, the USA is tied with Korea for first place. Both teams have two wins for six standing points and ten goals.
Despite the win and an overall dominant performance, the USA Team was frustrated by missed scoring opportunities. The French defense held strong for much of the contest.
"I thought it was a scrappy encounter, and I must give credit to the French," said Head Coach Lee Bodimeade. "They were enthusiastic about breaking down what we were trying to do. I don't think we handled the ball as well as we would have liked, but the tournament is about being there at the end, and we won the game, so we're content with that."
Katie Reinprecht opened the scoring for the USA in the 25th minute, finishing off a pass from Rachel Dawson across the scoring circle.
Four minute later, Maren Ford earned her first international goal, taking a loose ball away from a defender and eluding a diving Anne Sophie Daire, the French goalkeeper, for an empty net goal.
"It was very exciting," said Ford. "I saw the right fullback fumble the ball on her trap, so I knew her head would be down and could not analyze what was going on. She was going to pass it back anyway, so I just decided to go for it. No guts, no glory."
The USA would have opportunities for more goals, but converted only one in the second half. In the 39th minute, Lauren Crandall fired a free hit and Katie O'Donnell was in place for a deflection into the goal.
"Crandall saw me and I trapped it," said O'Donnell, "and I tipped right over the goalie's head."
"I felt we took our opportunities in the first half and we were able to get our goals on the board," said Bodimeade. "In the second half, I don't think we treasured the ball enough in our attacking zone and not getting the penalty corners we would have liked and the finish on the goals that I would have liked. We didn't set ourselves up well in the second half judging by the wall we started."
"It was frustrating at points," said team captain Carrie Lingo, "but there's always something to learn in these kinds of games, so we'll take that away with us."
In particular, Lauren Crandall stressed remembering the basics and keeping things simple.
"It's the basics, just trapping the ball, and making the first pass," said Crandall. "Sometimes, given time, we look off our first pass and try to do something a little more difficult, and that results in a turnover."
The USA will face Belgium on Monday, March 29 at 2:30 Pacific. Belgium are also undefeated so far through tournament play and should be a good contest for the USA side.
Day One Highlights
Competition is underway at the AtaHolding Women's World Cup Qualifier in Chula Vista!
Belgium 2, Canada 0
Korea 4, France 0
USA 7, Mexico 0
USA Defeats Mexico to Open Competition
Live Text Commentary >>
CHULA VISTA, CA - The USA Field Hockey Women's National Team defeated Mexico today, 7-0, to open competition at the AtaHolding Women's World Cup Qualifier at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. The winner of the Qualifier receives a berth in the Women's World Cup in Rosario, Argentina this September.
The USA put on a dominant offensive performance, as seven different players scoring for the Americans. The result puts the USA at the top of the tournament standings after one day of competition.
"We're happy to get the win," said Head Coach Lee Bodimeade. "We didn't get much opportunity to see Mexico before the tournament, but obviously we're pleased with the result."
"We wanted to get out and put an impression on Mexico," said team captain Carrie Lingo. "We were very excited to finally get the tournament started and every stepped up."
Lingo set the pace for the USA, with a field goal in the third minute. Katie Evans followed with a goal in the 11th, and Michelle Kasold snatched a misplayed ball from Mexican goalkeeper Jesus Castillo Marin for a gal in the 15th minute.
"Right now, we're focusing on handling the ball," said Bodimeade. "We're looking at finishing on the front end and defending at the back end."
Rachel Dawson opened the scoring in the second half with a penalty corner rebound. Caroline Nichols buried a penalty stroke in the 54th, and Sara Silvetti and Katie O'Donnell each added a goal to complete the scoring for the USA.
"We had a nice rotation of players," said Bodimeade. When nine penalty corners awarded to the USA resulted in only one goal, Bodimeade smiled and said, "It sounds like there were some missed opportunities for some players to have two goals."
Mexico had few attacking opportunities and U.S. goalkeeper Amy Tran saw limited action in the backfield. For her part, Mexican goalkeeper Marin made several great saves to limit the USA goals to single digits.
The USA will face France tomorrow, Saturday, March 27 at 2:45pm Pacific. France lost to Korea earlier today, 4-0.
Special Promotions & Activities
Watch the Women's National Team Play - Or Play Like Them!
| Friday, March 26 | Military Day |
All military families receive half-price tickets with valid military ID! |
| Saturday, March 27 | Dita 4x4 Pick-Up Tournament |
Show up and play! Divisions: U14 Girls, Boys & Mixed; U19 Girls, Boys & Mixed; and Adult Mixed |
| Monday, March 29 | 4UFH Youth Day |
Area youth groups receive special 25% discount on groups of ten or more at gate! Presented by 4U Field Hockey! |
| Tuesday, March 30 | Master's Day |
Fans ages 50 and over pay only $5.00 at gate! |
| Thursday, April 1 | High School Senior Day |
High School Seniors receive a free hot dog/drink/chips with valid school ID! |
| Saturday, April 3 | Moorpark Day |
Postgame autograph session with the Women's National Team, special ticket prices and food discounts! |
Dita 4x4 Pick-Up Tournament |
Show up and play! Divisions: U14 Girls, Boys & Mixed; U19 Girls, Boys & Mixed; and Adult Mixed |
For more information on the Dita 4x4 Pick-Up Tournament, contact Dave Miller at dmiller@usafieldhockey.com
2010 ATAHOLDING WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
Six of the world's top field hockey nations travel to San Diego for a chance to play in one of the world's top international competitions. USA Field Hockey, the national governing body for field hockey in the United States, will host the AtaHolding Women’s World Cup Qualifier, scheduled from March 26 to April 3, 2010 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA.
Playing on their home field, the USA Women’s Olympic Field Hockey Team will welcome traditional Pan American rivals Canada and Mexico, as well as Belgium, France and Korea. The tournament champion will head to the BDO FIH 2010 Women’s World Cup Rosario, Argentina in September.
Tickets to all games are now available. The AtaHolding Women’s World Cup Qualifier features 18 matches over six days of competition. Half-price tickets can be purchased online for as little as $5.00 per person per day! Competition days feature three matches per day. Additional ticket promotions will be announced soon, including discounts for military personnel.
The USA Women qualified for a World Cup Qualifier with a silver medal performance at the 2009 Pan Am Cup. They met 2008 Olympic bronze medal winners Argentina in the gold medal match at the 2009 Pan American Cup in February, where Argentina edged the Americans in sudden death penalty strokes.
The AtaHolding Women’s World Cup Qualifier is the largest senior international field hockey tournament to be held in the United States since the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. USA Field Hockey hosted the 2009 BDO Women’s Junior World Cup last August in Boston.
USA Field Hockey has partnered with JBS Destination Solutions/Global Housing Bureau to offer discounted hotel accommodations for your stay in the San Diego area. Preferred hotels have been selected based on their proximity to San Diego and the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista.
Log on to Global JBS to book your hotel accommodations and rental cars, or contact Joanne Marcus at 561.296.0831.
