The USA Women’s National Field Hockey Team is set to play India Saturday in the team’s first game of the 2024 FIH Olympic Qualifier in Ranchi.
The Qualifier is the final chance for the United Eagles to claim their berth to the summer games in Paris, France. Team USA finished second in the 2023 Pan American Games losing to Argentina, which booked its tickets to the Olympics.
Here are five things to keep in mind during the Qualifier:
5. Team: The squad that’s in India went from quickly blending and bonding in August 2022 to becoming a fast family in January 2024 under the leadership of head coach David Passmore. They are reminiscent of teams’ past, where youth athletes are watching every move that they make and cheering them on.
4. Noise: Field hockey is India’s national sport, which is regularly televised, unlike in the United States. The United Eagles will have to focus intently on physical cues, eye contact, and verbal communication to overpower the intensity they will feel the entire time they are in India.
3. Tested: Team USA competed against New Zealand a few weeks ago in a domestic friendly series held at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. The United Eagles also played the Black Sticks Women one year ago in the FIH Pro-League. India, which will have home-team advantage, is currently ranked No. 6, according to the FIH. Also in pool B, New Zealand is No. 9, USA is No. 15, and Italy is No. 19.
2. Experience: There is a wide range of experience on this team. From the most experienced, like Amanda Golini, Ashley Hoffman, and Danielle Grega, to the youngest, 19-year-old Ashley Sessa, the squad has what it takes. They will have to try to be exceptional with every set piece on corners, as well as capitalize on every scoring opportunity. Kelsey Bing and Jenny Rizzo (goalies) in cage are dazzlers to watch and not easily unsettled.
1. Attention: USA Field Hockey recently announced its partnership with CBS Sports Network, which fired up the United Eagles’ base in America. This is often a luxury that field hockey fans only get when USA qualifies and plays in the Olympics. The last time we saw that was 2016 in Rio.
Best of luck Team USA, from your fans in America.
Here is the roster and how to watch the United Eagles.
Kelsey Bing (Houston, Texas)
Sanne Caarls (Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands)
Leah Crouse (Virginia Beach, Va.)
Brooke DeBerdine (Millersville, Pa.)
Emma DeBerdine (Millersville, Pa.)
Amanda Golini (Randolph, N.J.)
Danielle Grega (Kingston, Pa.)
Ally Hammel (Duxbury, Mass.)
Ashley Hoffman (Mohnton, Pa.)
Kelee Lepage (Honey Brook, Pa.)
Karlie Kisha (Hamburg, Pa.)
Jenny Rizzo (Hershey, Pa.)
Ashley Sessa (Schwenksville, Pa.)
Meredith Sholder (Fleetwood, Pa.)
Abigail Tamer (Dexter, Mich.)
Jillian Wolgemuth (Mount Joy, Pa.)
Beth Yeager (Greenwich, Conn.)
Maddie Zimmer (Hershey, Pa.)
The traveling reserve is Linnea Gonzales (Bel Air, Md.).
USA Field Hockey has a page dedicated to the qualifier. It can be found here with the CBS Sports Network page, as well as Watch.Hockey site.
Photos: USA Field Hockey/World Sport Pics
