Check out the story and an action photo of Katie Kauffman-Beach on usfieldhockey.com.

Aug. 14, 2003

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Argentina downed the U.S. Field Hockey National Team, 3-1, in the gold medal game of the XIV Pan American Games on Wednesday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Former Terps Katie Kauffman-Beach (Maryland '97) and Kelli Smith (Maryland '01) were each named starters in the match and have played significant roles throughout the tournament.

The U.S. takes the silver medal while Uruguay walks away with the bronze after a 5-4 penalty stroke win over Chile.

Argentina scored 16 minutes into the first half and three minutes into the second to take a 2-0 lead with both tallies coming from Augustina Garcia. Cecilia Del Carril tacked on another in the 50th minute to give Argentina a commanding 3-0 advantage.

"We played them touch for the most of the second half and had some corners and opportunities," said Tracy Fuchs who scored the USA's only goal in the 64th minute to avoid the shutout. "But early in the game we made some critical mistakes where they were able to get a counter attack, and you can't do that against the number one team in the world."

Argentina peppered U.S. goalkeeper Peggy Storrar (Mahopac, N.Y.) with 29 shots and came up big with 13 saves and multiple sliding tackles to keep the Stars and Stripes in the game.

With the win, Argentina earns the continent's automatic berth into the 2004 Olympic Games. The U.S. will get a second shot to qualify for Athens when it travels to the Olympic Qualifier in Auckland, New Zealand, in March 2004.

Kauffman-Beach was named captain of the U.S. team and started every match as did Smith. Dina Rizzo (Maryland '02) recorded a couple of starts and scored a goal in the 5-0 victory over Uruguay as a reserve.

For more information on the U.S. National Field Hockey team and the Pan Am games, visit www.usfieldhockey.com.

Argentina 3,  USA 1
ARG: Augustina Garcia (FG, 16:00)
ARG: Augustina Garcia (FG, 38:00)
ARG: Cecilia Del Carril (FG, 50:00)
USA: Tracey Fuchs (FG, 64:00)

United States
Starters:, Peggy Storrar (GK), Tara Jelley, Tracey Larson, Kelli Gannon, Tracey Fuchs, Katie Beach, Keli Smith, Jill Reeve, Carrie Lingo, Kate Barber, Kristen McCann
Reserves: Robyn Kenney, Abbey Woolley, Jessica Coleman

Argentina
Starters: Mariela Antoniska (GK), Magdalena Aicega, Maria Paz Ferrari, Ayelen Stepnik, Alejandra Gulla, Luciana Aymar, Augustina Garcia, Mariana Gonzalez, Mercedes Margalot, Cecilia Rognoni, Natali Doreski
Reserves: Marina DiGiacomo, Cecilia Del Carril, Maria Del Carril, Maria Pas Hernandez, Claudia Burkhart

Cards: USA: Keli Smith
Umpires: Sarah Garnett (NZL), Allison Hill (GBR)