Southeast Adult RCC Showcases Elite Competition, Four Teams Headed to Adult NCC
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WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – From March 14 to 16, top club teams from across the Southeast gathered in Williamsburg, Va. for the region’s fourth annual Adult Regional Club Championship (RCC). The top teams at each Adult RCC qualify for the United States Field Hockey League (USFHL) Adult National Club Championship, set to take place this July at the University of Delaware.
Representing the Southeast were Atlanta FHC (Ga.), Miami Surf FHC (Fla.), Charlotte Ambush (N.C.), PTFH-GSO (N.C.), Lone Star (Texas), Dallas FHC (Texas), Key Biscayne FHC (Fla.), and Florida United (Fla.). The round-robin format featured four men's teams competing in three games each and an expanded women's division with five teams playing four games each. The competition was fierce, culminating in the top two teams in each division securing bids to the USFHL Adult NCC.
Men's Division: Lone Star (1st) & Atlanta FHC (2nd)
Women's Division: Charlotte Ambush (1st) & Atlanta FHC (2nd)
Men’s Division: Lone Star Dominates, Atlanta Secures Second Spot
Lone Star emerged as the undefeated champions, winning all three games to claim the Southeast RCC title. Atlanta FHC finished second, also securing their spot at Nationals.
Lone Star’s Andrew Simpson credited his team’s balanced performance. “All three games were battles, but we stayed defensively solid,” said Simpson. “Our forwards stepped up when it mattered most with some timely goals, and that made the difference.”
Women’s Division: Charlotte Ambush Makes History
Charlotte Ambush went undefeated to win their first Southeast RCC, while Atlanta FHC secured second place and their spot at Nationals in a highly competitive women’s division. Every game was closely contested, with no team conceding more than four goals all weekend.
Atlanta FHC Goalkeeper Sydney Taylor praised the exceptional defensive play. “All five teams played incredible defense," said Taylor. "A special shoutout to my fellow goalkeepers, who all performed at an elite level.”
Growing the Game in the Southeast
Beyond the competition, the Southeast Adult RCC highlighted the continued growth of field hockey in the region.
“It was an exciting weekend for both the men and women competing at a high level in the Southeast,” reflected umpire Taylor Lehrmann. “I’m just excited to see the game continue to grow.”
The level of play was further elevated by the participation of two world-class athletes in Charlotte Ambush’s lineup: Michelle Kasold, a two-time Olympian with the USA Women’s National Team, and Maddie Hinch, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, legendary goalkeeper for Great Britain, and current U.S. Women’s National Team Goalkeeper Coach. Their presence emphasizes the value of creating high-level regional competition, which attracts top talent and provides an elite playing environment that helps push the sport forward post-collegiately in the U.S.
Umpire Manager Lynn Carrino echoed those sentiments. “I’m pleasantly surprised to see teams from Florida, Georgia, and Texas, where college hockey isn’t necessarily as popular, deliver by sending competitive adult teams to this National Championship qualifier,” said Carrino. “There’s so much potential, and all the umpires enjoyed the level of competition. It’s refreshing to be part of this growing adult field hockey community.”
With the USFHL Adult NCC on the horizon, the Southeast’s top clubs have set the stage for another thrilling showcase in Delaware this July.
After every game, each team nominated players from the opposing team for the Tournament All-Star team. At the conclusion of the event, the players with the most votes in each division were honored.
Southeast RCC MVP, Men: Amrinderpal (Garry) Singh, Lone Star
Southeast RCC MVP, Women: Nathalie Friedman, Charlotte Ambush
Southeast RCC All-Star Team:
Rocio Barletti (W) – Florida United
Elizabeth Hitti (W) – Atlanta FHC
Michelle Kasold (W) – Charlotte Ambush
Lilly Petersen (W) – Key Biscayne FHC
Dhanvir Sandhu (M) – Dallas FHC
Zoe Shephard (W) – Atlanta FHC
Andrew Simpson (M) – Lone Star
Edward Unkles (M) – PTFH-GSO
Fabiola Valdivia (W) – Miami Surf FHC
Frederik Von Klitzing (M) – Atlanta FHC
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