Former University of Maryland field hockey players Dina Rizzo, Lauren Powley and Keli Smith all know what it is like to be champions after winning a national title during their college careers with the Terps. Now that trio, along with fellow former Terp Sara Silvetti, are hoping to find out what it is like to be a world champion as part of the U.S. national field hockey team. Their first step is the upcoming AstroTurf March on Madrid Four Nation Tournament, taking place Thursday through Aug. 27.
The round-robin tournament is the final tune-up for next month?s World Cup in Madrid, Spain. This is no ordinary tuneup tourney, as the U.S. will face the top three teams in the world in the Netherlands, Argentina and Australia.
“This tournament will be a great opportunity to play against some of the top players in the world,” said Powley, a member of Maryland?s 2005 national title team.
The Netherlands earned the silver medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics, while Argentina is the defending world champion and 2004 bronze Olympic medalist. Australia took home the gold in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.
The U.S. hopes to use these tournaments as preparations for the 2007 Pan-Am Games, where the winning country gets an automatic berth to the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. The American squad, currently ranked 12th in the world, has failed to qualify for the last two summer games. Should the U.S. fail to qualify there, it would have three chances to make the Olympics in one of three qualifying tournaments in 2008.
“I definitely think team this team has what it takes from the youngest player to the most experienced one to get us to the Olympics,” Powley said.
Going for the gold
» What: AstroTurf March on Madrid Four Nation Tournament
» When: Aug. 17-27
» Where: University of Maryland (opening round); USA Field Hockey National Training Center in Virginia Beach (consolation and finals)
» Cost: $5 for adults; $3 for youth ages 12-18; free to USA Field Hockey members with proof of membership and for children under 12.
