Tagliente, Welsh Added To U.S. National Field Hockey Team
2/14/2001 7:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Feb. 14, 2001
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Maryland field hockey All-Americans Carla Tagliente (Cortland, N.Y.) and Autumn Welsh (Macungie, Pa.) were selected to the U.S. National Team following a supplemental trial, held Feb. 10-12 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. The Terrapin teammates join former Maryland standout, Olympian and All-American Kate Kauffman on the squad's roster as the U.S. attempts to qualify for the 2002 Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH) World Cup in Perth, Australia.
In addition to four All-America and All-ACC selections, Tagliente was a finalist for the 2000 Honda Award, given annually to the NCAA's most outstanding field hockey player. Tagliente has been a member of U.S. field hockey teams since 1996 as a junior in high school, and was honored as the United States Field Hockey Association's (USFHA) Female Athlete of the Year in her first season on the national team in 1997. The senior finished her career at Maryland as the all-time Terp leader in both goals (73) and points (1987), ranking in the Top 10 in every offensive statistical category.
Welsh became a first time All-American in 2000 after an outstanding junior season as the anchor of the Terps' defense. The two-time All Mid-Atlantic Region and All-ACC honoree was named the 2000 ACC Tournament's Most Valuable Player after helping the Terrapins to a shutout victory in the conference championship game. Welsh has been involved in USFHA international play since 1998 and is making her first appearance with the U.S. National Team.
As teammates, the duo captured the 1999 NCAA championship and three consecutive ACC championships in 1998, 1999 and 2000. In the international arena, Tagliente and Welsh played on the U.S. Under-21 squad that finished second at the Junior Pan American Championships to earn a berth in this year's Junior World Cup.
Tagliente, Welsh, eight-year player Kauffman and the rest of the U.S. National Team will compete next in the inaugural Americas Cup from March 8-18 in Kingston, Jamaica. The winning squad in the tournament automatically qualifies for the FIH World Cup. If necessary, the team can also attempt to earn a spot at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament, played Sept. 18-30, in Abbeville, France.
Check out this story and the complete U.S. National Team roster at the official website of the United States Field Hockey Association.
Contact: Mark Fratto
301-314-7064 (phone)
301-314-9094 (fax)
301-314-TERP
fratto@wam.umd.edu
