U.S. National Team Terps Gear Up For International Atlantic Cup
10/3/2002 8:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 3, 2002
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Former Maryland field hockey players Katie Kauffman-Beach (West Lawn, Pa./Maryland '97), Carla Tagliente (Cortland, N.Y./Maryland '01) and Keli Smith (Selinsgrove, Pa./Maryland '02) are among those that will represent the U.S. National team in the the International Atlantic Cup, to be held Oct. 9-13 at the U.S. Field Hockey National Training Center in Virginia Beach, Va.
Presented by Cox Communications, the International Atlantic Cup features the women's national teams from Ireland, Mexico, Scotland and the USA, and will provide a World Cup warm-up for the Irish, Scotts and Americans. The three nations will compete in the 10th FIH Women's World Cup, Nov. 24-Dec. 8 in Perth, Australia. The Atlantic Cup also serves as Mexico's tune-up for the Central American/Caribbean Games, Nov. 25-Dec. 4, 2002 in Puerto Rico.
"We're excited about playing in Virginia Beach again," said U.S. head coach Tracey Belbin, who's team lives and trains in the city as part of U.S. Field Hockey's residency program. "The fact that we're playing (World Cup teams) Ireland and Scotland I think is a good benchmark for us. We can see basically where we are. Of course any international match we can get is a good opportunity for us."
Belbin's team for the International Atlantic Cup is led by captain Tracey Fuchs, a veteran of three previous World Cups who helped clinch the USA's spot in the World Cup with four goals in June's three-game series with India. The team also features three-time World Cup participant Antoinette Lucas as well as two-time World Cup veteran Jill Reeve and 1998 World Cup team members Kauffman-Beach, Kate Barber and Peggy Storrar.
Forwards Tagliente, Kelli Gannon, Tara Jelley, Kristen McCann and Jenny Everett also earned spots on the team along with midfielders Smith, Tracey Larson, Carrie Lingo, Melanie Meerschwam, and Kim Miller, defender Mimi Smith and goalkeeper Jill Dedman.
Belbin is expected to announce her World Cup team roster later this month.
Coming off a victory at the European Nations Qualifying Tournament, Ireland has already announced its World Cup team and will put the squad to the test at the International Atlantic Cup. The team includes captain Rachael Kohler, defender Arlene Boyles and former Maryland All-America selection Lynsey McVicker.
Scotland placed 6th at the Commonwealth Games in August, and features two-time Olympian Rhona Simpson (Great Britain, '96, '00) as well as 1998 World Cup teammates Helen Walker and goalkeeper Tracey Robb.
Mexico is headed for a World Cup of its own when it travels to the 2003 Indoor World Cup in Germany, Feb. 6-9, 2003. Outdoors, Pan American Games veterans Yessica Zepeda, Maria del Rayo Chavez, Irma Hernandez and Yadira Vazquez will try to earn a return trip to the Pan Am Games at the Central American & Caribbean Games in November.
Daily tickets for the International Atlantic Cup are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Additional ticket information is available by calling 719-866-4567 or visiting the U.S. Field Hockey website at www.usfieldhockey.com
International Atlantic Cup ScheduleWed. Oct. 9 2 p.m. - Mexico vs Ireland 4 p.m. - USA vs Scotland
Thurs Oct. 10 2 p.m. - Ireland vs Scotland 4 p.m. - USA vs Mexico
Fri Oct. 11 Rest Day
Sat. Oct. 12 2 p.m. - USA vs Ireland 4 p.m. - Mexico vs Scotland
Sun. Oct. 13 1:30 p.m. - Consolation game 4 p.m. - Championship game
U.S. International Atlantic Cup Roster
Kate Barber (North Carolina, 76), Katie Beach (Maryland, 113), Jill Dedman (Boston College, 2), Jenny Everett (Wake Forest, 6), Tracey Fuchs (Connecticut, 219), Kelli Gannon (Michigan, 26), Tara Jelley (Massachusetts30), Tracey Larson (Penn State, 37), Carrie Lingo (North Carolina, 27), Antoinette Lucas (Northwestern, 161), Kristen McCann (North Carolina, 32), Melanie Meerschwam (Princeton, 31), Kim Miller (Old Dominion, 24), Jill Reeve (Old Dominion, 115), Keli Smith (Maryland, 15), Mimi Smith (Old Dominion, 33), Peggy Storrar (North Carolina, 80), Carla Tagliente (Maryland, 65).
