Sept. 26, 2003

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Field Hockey today announced the 18-player roster for the International Atlantic Cup which will be played at the USA Field Hockey National Training Center in Virginia Beach, Va., Oct. 8-12. Former Terps Katie Kauffman-Beach (Maryland '97), Dina Rizzo (Maryland '02), Kelly Smith (Maryland '01) and Carissa Messimer (Maryland '03) are four of the 18 members to be participating in the tournament which features four of the top 10 ranked teams in the world. The tournament will serve as a tune-up for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, March 19-28 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Kauffman-Beach, Rizzo and Smith are all veterans on the U.S. National Team, having most recently played in the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The U.S. placed second at the Pan Am games, advancing to the title game.

Messimer is making her debut on the senior national team. She played on the 2001 U.S. Junior World Cup team and was also a member of the Under-20 squad.

Kauffman-Beach, Rizzo, Smith and Messimer were all named first team All-Americans by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association during their careers as Terrapins.

For more information, visit www.usfieldhockey.com.