VALENCIA, Spain – Former Terrapins Katie O'Donnell, Jill Witmer and Megan Frazer and their respective national teams are set to face off against each other in a pivotal pool play match in the Hockey World League Semifinals in Valencia, Spain Tuesday at 9 a.m. ET.
Tuesday's match will help determine standings for the tournament quarterfinals. All 10 teams in the tournament are competing for Olympic qualification with the top three teams at the end of the tournament earning their bids to Rio in 2016.
Currently, the U.S. is tied with Germany atop the pool standings with seven points apiece. Ireland is just behind with six points.
O'Donnell and Witmer, both members of No. 5 Team USA, beat Uruguay and No. 11 South Africa to open the tournament, then tied with No. 6 Germany Sunday. Witmer earned her 50th career cap in Sunday's match after scoring against South Africa Saturday.
Frazer and the Irish National Team beat South Africa to open the tournament, fell to Germany and beat Uruguay.
“This next game will decide who is playing for a top spot to continue playing to qualify,” Maryland associate head coach and 2008 Olympian Dina Rizzo said. “The U.S. and Ireland met in a three-game series a few weeks ago in Lancaster and the U.S. won all three games. Ireland is playing really well right now, so this is going to be a great match Everyone here at Maryland is just really proud of them to put themselves in great position to qualify.”
“We also want to congratulate Jill Witmer on her 50th cap. Any milestone is a big deal and is a credit to her dedication to the game.”
Quarterfinals will be played June 18. Semifinals will begin June 19 and the finals will be June 21. For the full schedule and to watch online, click here.
Following all the Semifinals, the six highest placed teams will be offered a prized participation at the Olympics.
Following the Hockey World League Semifinals, the U.S. Women's National Team will head to Toronto in July for the Pan American Games. The games will be played at the University of Toronto, on two world-class field hockey pitches.
-Terps-
