The USA Women's National Field Hockey Team defeated Canada 5-0 in Chula Vista, California, today, January 19 in the first of a four game series. This was the first time the women were back on the field in international competition since August 2010.
The first goal was scored seventeen minutes into the first half by Paige Selenski (Charlottesville, Pa) on a penalty corner. Less than ten minutes following, Michelle Kasold (Chapel Hill, NC) put away her first goal of the game, giving USA a 2-0 advantage. Caroline Nichols (Virginia Beach, VA) scored, again on a penalty corner with less than one minute remaining, to make the score 3-0 going into halftime.
Rachel Dawson (Camden, NJ) started off the second half with a reverse stick shot straight on goal. Michelle Kasold scored her second goal of the game and finalized the score 5-0.
Torrie Albini (Escondido, CA) received her career first international cap with the National Team.
ÔÇ£It is always pleasing to win in an international game. Today was a good start to the season, with the ultimate goal of winning the Pan American Games and Olympic qualification. We have three more games left in this series. We will be tested and we are looking forward to that challenge,ÔÇØ said Lee Bodimeade, Head Coach of the Women's National Team.
The schedule for the remaining three game series is as follows, with all times listed in local PST.
* ┬ÀFriday, January 21at 1pm
* ┬ÀSaturday, January 22 at 1pm
* ┬ÀSunday, January 24 at 9am
National Team members will be available for autograph signings following the conclusion of all matches. All fans attending the event will receive a 2011 USA Field Hockey calendar. Highlights and results will be posted on the USA Field Hockey website at the conclusion of every match.
USA Roster: Caroline Nichols (Virginia Beach, VA), Carrie Lingo (Rehoboth Beach, DE), Claire Laubach (Bristow, VA), Jackie Kintzer (Chapel Hill, NC), Katelyn Smither (Suffolk, PA), Katie O'Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa), Kayla Bashore (Shoemakersville, PA), Kelly Driscoll (West Chester, PA), Lauren Crandall (Pittsburgh, Pa), Lauren Pfeiffer (Iowa City, IA), Maren Ford (Ann Arbor, MI), Melanie Brill (San Diego, CA), Michelle Kasold (Chapel Hill, NC), Pam Speuhler (Sudbury, MA), Rachel Dawson (Camden, NJ), Shannon Taylor (San Diego, CA), Torrie Albini (Escondido, CA), Melissa Gonzalez (Cortland, NY), Julia Reinprecht (Princeton, NJ), Katie Reinprecht (Princeton, NJ), Michelle Vittese (Charlottesville, VA), Brianna Davies (Annville, PA), Keli Smith (Selinsgrove, Pa), Paige Selenski (Charlottesville, Pa), Marta Malmberg (Marathon, NY)
Canada Roster: Abigail Raye (BC), Azelia Liu (ON), Danielle Henning (BC), Diana Roemer (BC), Hannah Haughn (BC), Kaitlyn Williams (BC), Kate Gillis (ON), Katie Baker (PEI), Katie Collison (BC), Kristine Wishart (ON), Marian Dickinson (AB), Michelle Weber (ON), Natalie Sourisseau (BC), Robyn Pendleton (BC), Samantha Smith (BC), Stephanie Jameson (BC), Thea Culley (BC), Tyla Flexman (BC)
Source: USFHA media release
