The U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey team didn’t qualify for the 2024-25 FIH Pro League even after finishing ninth in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
But, with the upcoming 2025 FIH Hockey Nations Cup, the United Eagles stand a chance to reenter the Pro League ranks. Team USA are among seven other teams, eight total, set to compete in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup taking place Feb. 23 to March 2.
The winner of the Nations Cup will be “promoted to the FIH Hockey Pro League next season,” according to USA Field Hockey. The event is taking place in Santiago, Chile. It’s the third edition, which features the best-ranked teams not playing in the current Pro League cycle.
“The Nations Cup is an important event and will be very competitive as teams seek to gain FIH Pro League qualification,” USA Field Hockey Head Coach David Passmore said in a statement. “While we have chosen to rest a number of established players this has allowed us to continue to develop a bigger athlete pool and assess a number of younger players, who were impressive in New Zealand.”
He continued: “The full group will not meet or train together before we leave for Chile, but we look forward to welcoming back Leah Crouse, Amanda Golini and Ashley Sessa, who were rested for the New Zealand trip along with Jenny Rizzo, after her successful trip to play in the Hockey India League.”
The competing roster for the Nations Cup is 18 athletes, with the remaining two acting as traveling reserves. The final roster will be determined after travel and onsite training.
Golini and Ally Hammel will co-captain the squad. They are among memorable names from the summer Olympics, including Crouse, Kelee Lepage, Sessa, Meredith Sholder, Beth Yeager, and Maddie Zimmer.
A handful of climbers will earn their first senior cap, or FIH-sanctioned international contest, including Lucy Adams, Jans Croon, Katie Dixon, Caroline Ramsey and Mia Schoenbeck, the USA Field Hockey statement noted. Goalkeepers are Kealsie Reeb and Jenny Rizzo.
Along with Passmore, he will be assisted by Northwestern University’s Tracey Fuchs, as well as international goalkeeper coach Maddie Hinch. Chris Fry is traveling as the video analyst and Hannah Jaussen as the team’s athletic trainer.
According to USA Field Hockey, seven athletes were “strategically not considered” for various reasons. They are Kelsey Bing (Houston, Texas), Bethany Dykema (Newport News, Va.), Fusine Govaert (Rye, N.Y.), Ashley Hoffman (Mohnton, Pa.), Abigail Tamer (Dexter, Mich.), Megan Valzonis (San Diego, Calif.) and Jillian Wolgemuth (Mount Joy, Pa.).
USA Field Hockey is currently ranked No. 13 on the world stage. The United Eagles will play in Pool A against No. 11 Japan, No. 14 Chile, and No. 17 Canada. Pool B is No. 19 New Zealand, No. 12 Ireland, No. 15 Korea, and No. 15 Scotland.
Team USA competition starts on Sunday, Feb. 23. The United Eagles will face No. 17 Canada at 5 p.m. EST. Their next game is Tuesday, Feb. 25 against No. 11 Japan at 5 p.m. EST. And, they finish pool play Thursday, Feb. 27 against No. 14 Chile at 7 p.m. EST.
Crossovers and semifinals are scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 1. The finals are Sunday, March 2.
Here are the athletes selected to travel:
Lucy Adams, Andover, Ma.
Sanne Caarls, Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands
Jans Croon, Manhattan Beach, CA
Leah Crouse, Virginia Beach, VA
Emma DeBerdine, Millersville, PA
Katie Dixon, Cary, NC
Sophia Gladieux, Oley, PA
Amanda Golini, Randolph, NJ
Ally Hammel, Duxbury, MA
Josie Hollamon, Delmar, DE
Kelee Lepage, Honey Brook, PA
Caroline Ramsey, Morristown, NJ
Kealsie Reeb, Seaford, VA
Jenny Rizzo, Hershey, PA
Mia Schoenbeck, LaGrange, KY
Ashley Sessa, Schwenksville, PA
Meredith Sholder, Fleetwood, PA
Cassie Sumfest, Lewisburg, PA
Beth Yeager, Greenwich, CT
Maddie Zimmer, Hershey, PA
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Photo: New Zealand friendly tour 2025, USA Field Hockey
