March 29, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - With the help of former Maryland Terrapins Katie Kauffman-Beach, Kelli Smith and Dina Rizzo, the US National Field Hockey team placed sixth at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Auckland, New Zealand. However, the Stars & Stripes were unable to clinch a spot in the upcoming Summer Olympics. Current Maryland assistant coach Andrew Griffiths patrolled the sidelines as the US took sixth place.

The USA went 4-2-1 in pool play before sneaking by Ireland in its first crossover match, 2-1, in overtime. Korea cruised to a 4-0 victory over the US to take fifth place and the final berth into the 2004 Olympics.

Veterans Kauffman-Beach, Smith and Rizzo played in every game of the qualifying tournament, with Smith and Kauffman-Beach starting in every game. Kauffman-Beach is the team's captain. Smith tallied the USA's final goal in a 6-0 romping of Russia.

For more information, log onto www.usfieldhockey.com.

-TERPS-