News 27 October 2014
All the news for Monday 27 October 2014
Team USA Closes out Successful New Zealand Series with a Thrilling Victory
U.S. Women’s National Team Athlete Katelyn Falgowski (Landedburg, Pa.) takes the pen and walks us through Team USA’s final match against the New Zealand Black Sticks.
Representing more than just themselves, the U.S. Women’s National Team took the pitch for the final match against New Zealand proudly sporting pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Playing for friends, family and loved ones, Team USA was able to take game six of the series with a 3-1 victory, bringing the overall series to 3-2-1 in favor of the U.S. ladies.
Although New Zealand was able to get on the board first, with Gemma Flynn scoring in the 18th minute of play, Team USA showed true grit and persistence in the third quarter by scoring three goals within five minutes. Immediately following half time, Katie Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.) opened up play and ignited the U.S. squad with a rocket off the cross bar, which proved to be all the motivation that the red, white and blue needed. In the 39th minute of play, Paige Selenski (Shavertown, Pa.) found the back of the net off of a corner tip, momentarily tying the game 1-1. Minutes later after Team USA earned another well-deserved corner, Lauren Pfeiffer (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) was able to slam the ball home with a beautifully placed drag to the lower left corner. Not yet satisfied, the U.S. continued to push the tempo and in the 44th minute of play, the work paid off once more for Team USA courtesy of Melissa Gonzalez (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.).
"I think we grew and learned a lot about ourselves this tournament," Kat Sharkey (Moosic, Pa.) commented after the game. "We grew each game and were able to experiment with different tactics against a talented New Zealand team. We look forward to competing against them again in April."
A huge congratulations are also in order for Team USA’s Julia Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.), for her 100th cap with the U.S Women’s National Team! Reinprecht has been a member for the squad since 2010 and is a solid asset to the red, white and blue’s defensive line.
With a successful series under their belts, the U.S. Women’s National Squad looks forward to enjoying the next few days sightseeing and exploring New Zealand as they travel back to Aukland before flying home to the states on Wednesday evening.
Thank you to everyone back home and your continual support! Go States!
USFHA media release
Indian women’s hockey camp begins
The preparatory camp for the Indian women’s hockey team began at the SAI Centre, Bhopal, on Sunday. The camp, part of the team’s training for the Hockey World League (HWL) Round 2 next year, will continue till Dec. 7.
The 33 probables form the core of the Indian side for major tournaments in 2015.
The HWL Round 2 would be held in New Delhi from March 7 to 15, 2015.
“The camp will be a good learning experience for the team and I am sure through this the girls will be better prepared for what is coming next their way,” coach Neil Hawgood said.
“Post their bronze at the Asian Games, the entire team looks confident and ready to take on newer and bigger challenges,” the coach added.
The Hindu
Indian women's team gearing up for World Hockey League
NEW DELHI: The Indian women's hockey team has started preparing for the World Hockey League Round 2 with a camp at the Sports Authority of India Centre, Bhopal.
The 33 probables the tournament will train in Bhopal till December 7. New Delhi will host the big event next year from March 7 to 15.
Speaking on the sidelines of the camp, chief coach Neil Hawgood said: "The camp will be a good learning experience for the team and I am sure through this, the girls will be better prepared for what is coming next in their way.
"Post their bronze at the just culminated Asian Games, the entire team looks confident and ready to take on newer and bigger challenges. We will look at the camp giving us the perfect team for the upcoming tournaments."
The Times of India
HIL Update: Walsh replaced with Jude Felix
s2h Team
Activities on the Hockey India, whose prospects seemed to have been hampered with the sudden withdrawal of two franchise, for the upcoming season have started.
Terry Walsh, who trained the team for the last season, which is also debut season for Kalinga Lancers, will not continue this year; Jude Felix, now with the national team is expected to succeed him.
As already reported, Indian cricket team captain, most visible face on the Indian horizon, has chosen to own, rather co-own a HIL Franchise, which gives continuity for Ranchi team.
MS Dhoni co-owned team will now be called Ranchi Rays
Stick2Hockey.com
Daring and Ducks close gap in Belgian league
Royal Leopold and Leuven drew in the Belgian Audi Hockey League top of the table clash, allowing Daring and the Waterloo Ducks to close the gap in the title race.
Leopold took the lead via Frank Main before Tom de Groote tied things up for Leuven to share a 1-1 draw. The result leaves Leuven in first place after nine rounds with 20 points with Leopold one point back.
Daring got back on track with a 2-1 win over Herakles with Inaki Alvarez scoring the crucial goal ten minutes from the final whistle.
The Waterloo Ducks were 5-1 winners over bottom of the table Oree with Nicolas Vandiest (pictured), Gauthier Boccard, Maxime Capelle, Gilles Jacob and Maxime Bertrand the scorers, getting back into the top four.
Beerschot moved into the top half with a 4-2 win over Racing Club de Bruxelles while Braxgata are up to seventh with a 3-2 victory against Dragons. At the bottom, Wellington beat Antwerp 3-2.
Euro Hockey League media release
Surbiton move top of English league
Matt Daly and Chris Grassick hit two goals each as Surbiton swept Brooklands Manchester University aside with an electrifying 7-1 win to move top of England’s NOW: Pensions Hockey League Premier Division.
Brooklands are yet to win this season and made the worst possible start by giving away a penalty stroke after 11 minutes. Alan Forsyth was on hand to coolly place the ball in the net before Rupert Shipperley added a second from the restart to open the floodgates.
Richard Mantell made sure Reading took three points in their game against Hampstead and Westminster, sweeping home from a penalty corner in the 64th minute to make it 3-2. Sam Ward scored a hat-trick for Beeston as they beat Cannock 4-2 on the road.
Three second half goals helped Wimbledon beat hosts East Grinstead 4-1 on Saturday evening.
Jack Waller had given Wimbledon the lead on 19 minutes, only for Tony Wilson to cancel it out three minutes later. But second half goals from Phil Roper, Ali Brogdon and Henry Weir gave the visitors the victory.
Euro Hockey League media release
Rampant Wimbledon and Phil Roper show class as Xenna Hughes continues 'tough' family tradition
By Rod Gilmour,
Olympic ambition: Phil Roper is on the path to Rio 2016 Photo: ADY KERRY
Any Wimbledon player will tell you of the club’s inconsistencies this season. Ben Hawes, the captain, was the latest to admit that Wimbledon also have the “ability to beat anyone”.
Having survived a “scrappy” 3-2 win over Brooklands Manchester University last weekend, they were rewarded with a deserved 4-1 win at leaders East Grinstead, who continue to leak goals. It was the Sussex side's first defeat of the season.
A tight first-half was upended when Wimbledon scored three after the break through a trio of Great Britain internationals: Phil Roper, Ali Brogdon and Henry Weir.
“It is difficult to rank this [win] but we are building momentum and individuals stood up today,” said Hawes, the British Olympic Association’s new chair of its athletes’ commission.
Hawes sounded out Phil Roper, the 22-year-old who was called up for the Commonwealth Games this summer. The forward was a constant menace as Wimbledon exploited constant gaps in the East Grinstead defence.
“He can be very good and is world-class in certain areas,” said Hawes. “He ran the game at times and was exceptional.
“He needs to be more consistent but this is all down to confidence. It’s not about believing the hype; it’s about what he can do.
"From 2016 and beyond, he will be a central part for England.”
Elsewhere, Matt Daly and Chris Grassick hit two goals each as Surbiton held their position at the top with an eye-opening 7-1 win over hapless Brooklands.
In the Investec women’s premier division, another top-flight university side are enjoying a more fruitful season where Phil Gooderham, the University of Birmingham coach, admitted that Xenna Hughes is “as tough” as her father, Mark, the Stoke City manager.
The Welsh international was on hand as Birmingham won a tight contest with Buckingham 3-2. Olivia Chilton’s opener for the visitors was cancelled out by an Alexandra Naughalty brace.
Hughes’ 38th-minute strike and Chilton’s second sealed the points against a side who, by their own admission, shouldn’t be second bottom of the table.
Birmingham, meanwhile, have endured a tough few years but now sit fifth. Three freshers have settled in and Gooderham says there is more belief in the camp.
He said: “We have had young sides for the last few years and being down the bottom is always tough chasing points. There is a buzz going round the club now.”
A positional change from up front has seen Hughes excel at half-back this season. “She has great pace, is really strong and reads the game well,” Gooderham added of the Welsh international.
Hughes, into her final year in an education and coaching degree, flicked in from a corner via a deflection on Saturday.
“Because of the experience she's had as a forward, she really gives us an extra outlet as a defender,” said Gooderham.
Leaders Surbiton drew 1-1 with Holcombe. Nicci Daly gave hosts Holcombe the lead after 31 minutes but Rebecca Herbert equalised after the break.
Leicester claimed only their second win of the campaign with a one-way victory over Reading. Rachel Mack scored twice and Katie Long scored in a 3-0 win.
The Telegraph