COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Many dream of representing their country, few will get the chance. Today, U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach David Passmore has named the 16-athlete roster that will compete at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
“The full centralized group of 28 athletes have worked exceptionally hard this year and made the final selection difficult,” commented Passmore. “While the results weren’t what we wanted during the European leg of FIH Hockey Pro League, we have diligently reviewed video and performance analysis while choosing a group of athletes we feel can push for a quarterfinal berth in Paris.”
“Losing Jill Wolgemuth to a late knee injury is a big loss. She has worked diligently over the past couple of years and her attitude and leadership was important to the team’s growth and Olympic qualification in India. Congratulations to all athletes selected to represent Team USA.”
With a blend of experience and youth, the U.S. Olympic Women’s Field Hockey Team is ready to hit the international stage. The roster features veterans and co-captains Ashley Hoffman (Mohnton, Pa.) and Amanda Golini (Randolph, N.J.) coupled with the young offensive flair of Phia Gladieux (Oley, Pa.), Ashley Sessa (Schwenksville, Pa.), Abby Tamer (Dexter, Mich.), Megan Valzonis (San Diego, Calif.) and Beth Yeager (Greenwich, Conn.). The talented forward line will be fed through the midfield from solid players like sisters Brooke and Emma DeBerdine (Millersville, Pa.), Meredith Sholder (Fleetwood, Pa.) and Maddie Zimmer (Hershey, Pa.). On the defensive line there is Leah Crouse (Virginia Beach, Va.) Ally Hammel (Duxbury, Mass.) Karlie Kisha (Hamburg, Pa.) and Kelee Lepage (Honey Brook, Pa.), anchored by world-class goalkeeper Kelsey Bing (Houston, Texas).
The three provisional athletes (traveling reserves) are Sanne Caarls (Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands), Cassie Sumfest (Lewisburg, Pa.) and goalkeeper Jenny Rizzo (Hershey, Pa.).
Head coach Passmore is assisted by Tracey Fuchs, Maddie Hinch and Javier Telechea, along with team manager Krista Page, performance analyst Chris Fry, assistant performance analyst Ronan Passmore, physiotherapist Hannah Jaussen and Lauren Wauffler, and high performance director Craig Parnham.
2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Field Hockey Team#
2024 Provisional Athletes#
After missing out on the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the program has undergone several changes, including multiple new coaching staffs, a pandemic, relocation to Charlotte, N.C. and a cultural adjustment. For the 16 athletes who will all make their Olympic debut, it was no easy feat to get to this position – it was a journey that included sacrifices and dedication.
2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Field Hockey Schedule #
Date | Game | Time |
---|---|---|
Sat., July 27 | Argentina vs. USA | 1:45 PM |
Mon., July 29 | Spain vs. USA | 7:15 AM |
Wed., July 31 | Australia vs. USA | 7:15 AM |
Thurs., August 1 | USA vs. Great Britain | 11:00 AM |
Sat., August 3 | USA vs. South Africa | 7:15 AM |
Mon., August 5 | Quarterfinals | |
Wed., August 7 | Semifinals | |
Fri., August 9 | Final |
All times in Eastern Time Zone. Local time in Paris is +6.
Heading into the Olympic Games, the No. 13 USA is in in a challenging pool with No. 2 Argentina, No. 4 Australia, No. 6 Great Britain, No. 7 Spain and No. 18 South Africa. They open the women’s competition and Pool B play against Pan American rival, Argentina on Saturday, July 27. They will continue against Spain on Monday, July 29; Australia on Wednesday, July 31; Great Britain on Thursday, August 1 and South Africa on Saturday, August 3. The quarterfinals featuring the top-four teams from each pool will take place on Monday, August 5, with the semifinals on Wednesday, August 7 and final on Friday, August 9.
The USA qualified for Paris 2024 after spectacular performances at the 2024 FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier this past January. In Ranchi, India, the then ranked No. 15 USA went into the event as one of the lowest ranked teams. In their first pool match they upset hosts, No. 6 India, (1-0) and then beat No. 19 Italy (2-0). They defeated No. 10 New Zealand (1-0) in their final pool game to secure a spot in the semifinals. Facing No. 9 Japan, USA knew they had to perform as the winner of this semifinal punched their ticket. After trailing, the USA triumphantly rallied back with two goals in the fourth quarter to win 2-1 and qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
For more information on Paris 2024, visit the event page.
#FlyAsOne | #MTUSA | #MadeItMoment
For any media requests for the coaches or athletes consisting of local newspaper, online sources, blogs, podcasts, in-person appearances or photo needs, please contact Teryn Brill Galloway, USA Field Hockey’s Director of Communications, at tbrill@usafieldhockey.com.
Photos Taken by Griffin Zetterberg