U.S. Women’s National Team head coach, Craig Parnham, has announced the 18-player roster that will compete at the 2013 Pan American Cup in Mendoza, Argentina, September 21-28. The U.S. squad comprised of experienced and skilled athletes is eager to challenge the international competition.
"Since the Hockey World League Round 3 [Semi Final] in England this past June, the squad has been training together at Penn State University while the hockey facilities at The Nook are being completed,” said U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach, Craig Parnham. “The biggest impact since World League 3 is having the group together for sustained training blocks. This has allowed for both physical and technical improvements.”
Team USA is currently in its final stages of preparation for the Pan American Cup training at Penn State University. They will move to the Home of Hockey on September 11 before departing for Mendoza on Sunday, September 15. The Pan Am Cup Winners will receive automatic qualification to the Rabobank Hockey World Cup 2014 to be hosted in The Hague, Netherlands. The U.S. will aim to qualify after missing out on the opportunity to compete in the 2010 World Cup following a 3-1 loss to Korea in the finals of the World Cup Qualifying event. The U.S. finished 6th at the 2006 World Cup in Madrid, Spain.
The U.S. has been placed in Pool B, along with Chile, Mexico and Uruguay. Team USA opens their qualifying quest against Mexico on September 21, 2:30pm ET. Next up, the team faces Chile on September 22, 2:30pm ET and then Uruguay on September 24, 5pm ET. The semi-finals are scheduled for September 26 and the finals on September 28.
“I have been pleased with the progress of the group over the last few weeks,” said Parnham. “Everyone has worked extremely hard and it is always unfortunate that not every player can be selected. The strength of the squad ensures we have competition for tours."
The top six teams qualify for the 2017 Women’s Pan American Cup. The teams placed 7th and 8th will play in the 2015 Women’s Pan American Challenge.
The U.S. Women’s Team has won silver at the 2009, 2004 and 2001 Pan American Cups. Team USA has been second each year to the No. 2 team in the world and Pan American foe, Argentina.
“We travel to the Pan American Cup with confidence that the squad is well prepared for the challenge that lies ahead,” said Parnham.
Follow Team USA in Mendoza on Twitter @USAFieldHockey for live results and the latest updates. Visit the Pan American Cup event page on usafieldhockey.com.
Pan American Cup Roster: Meghan Beamesderfer (Iowa City, Ia.), Lauren Crandall (Doylestown, Pa.) Rachel Dawson (Berlin, N.J.), Katelyn Falgowski (Landenburg, Pa.), Stefanie Fee (Virginia Beach, Va.), Melissa Gonzalez (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.), Michelle Kasold (Chapel Hill, N.C.), Jackie Kinzter (Robesonia, Pa.), Kelsey Kolojejchick (Larsville, Pa.), Jamie Montgomery (Lewisburg, Pa.), Katie O’Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.), Katie Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.), Paige Selenski (Shavertown, Pa.), Kathleen Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.), Caitlin Van Sickle (Wilmington, De.), Shannon Taylor (Midlothian, Va.) Alesha Widdall (Whitney Point, N.Y.), Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.).
Source material: USAFH Media Release.
