Bustin Blogs From Beijing
August 14, 2008 | Field Hockey
Aug. 14, 2008
BEIJING, China - U of L head field hockey coach Pam Bustin continues her update from the Beijing Olympics where team USA recently lost to defending champions Germany 4-2.
"Hello Cardinal fans! Greetings from Beijing where we just completed our third game of the tournament, losing to Germany 4-2. Team USA now has 2 ties (Argentina and Japan) and 1 loss (Germany). Germany is in the lead of our pool with 3 wins for 9 points. Statistically we were completely in the game and quite often creating some fantastic play. Three of the goals came off sharp execution from the Germany attack penalty corner battery. Germany is defending Olympic gold medalists and currently ranked third in the world."
"The rain has returned and athletes and coaches are running around the village in trashbag-ponchos...quite a sight! In contrast to the American reaction to lightning...all matches continue regardless of bolts of lightning and rumbling thunder...PLAY ON! The rain is a welcomed relief from the heat and humidity and actually cools things down for some time."
"The team continues to play well and with every battle, we continue to grow into Olympic medal contenders. We now refuel, rest, and prepare to take on New Zealand on Saturday morning."
"I received a great picture from our Welcome Back BBQ of the 2008 Team Cardinal Field Hockey Team! Everyone looks SO good...now let's have our hockey look as good by the time I return! wink, wink!! I look forward to putting on my Cardinal gear and stepping on the field with my Louisville team...in the meantime...we all have some important hockey to take care of :-) !"
GO CARDS! GO USA!
USA Field Hockey Recap
Story by Jeff Gamza - USA Field Hockey
The U.S. Olympic Team for Women's Field Hockey fell to defending champions Germany, 4-2, at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Thursday. Tiffany Snow scored first for the USA, but Germany rattled off three goals to assume the lead. A late goal from Angie Loy looked to swing momentum back to the USA, but Germany's fourth goal four minutes later sealed the victory.
The result leaves the USA with two draws and one loss in three matches, and a total of two standings points with the remainder of Pool B to play later tonight. The USA is guaranteed at least three more games: two pool play games against New Zealand and Great Britain, and one crossover match to determine final standings.
Germany is undefeated in three games and has a strong hold on the Pool B lead, with a trip to the medal rounds in sight. The top two teams in each pool continue to semifinals and final medal rounds.
Concerned about the slow starts in the previous two games, the USA pressured Germany early, spending time on the German side of the pitch. The USA retained much of the possession, but German tackles disrupted the advancement.
Germany stepped up to match the American's intensity. In the 20th minute, a German attack caused a frenzy at the goal line, highlighted by defender Lauren Crandall batting a point-blank German shot out of the air. Five shots on goal by Germany follow in the first half.
In the 27th minute, a streaking Angie Loy carried the ball into the scoring zone. A German defender gained control, but a clearing shot hit a lunging Keli Smith, coming from the opposite direction. The ball bounced into the clear for Snow, who chipped the ball into the goal.
Germany, who is a team having their own issues with slow starts, responded seven minutes later. German forward Natascha Keller received a pass and ran free down the sideline, eluding the American defense. With a back-stick shot into the corner of the goal, Keller tied the game, 1-1.
With the momentum of the first half goal behind them, German opened the second half with increased concentration, forcing intercepted passes and mishandled balls. Germany took the lead with a goal from striker Fanny Rinne in the 49th minute. Rinne launched a blast that Amy Tran tracked with a diving save, but the ball slipped underneath her by mere inches. Team captain Marion Rodewald added a third goal.
The USA looked poised to jump back into contention with Angie Loy's penalty corner goal in the 60th minute. The penalty corner strike hit the German goalkeeper Kristina Reynolds and as German defenders swarmed the loose ball, one cleared it directly into the path of Angie Loy.
The rally by the Americans was cut short as Germany added a fourth goal in 64th minute from striker Anke Kuehn on a penalty corner.
The USA has faced three of the top six teams in the world in its first three games of competition. Germany is ranked number three in the world. The USA is ranked number eleven.
The U.S. Olympic Team for Women's Field Hockey faces New Zealand on Saturday, August 16. The United States is slotted in Pool B with Argentina, Germany, Great Britain, Japan and New Zealand.
