US Field Hockey Team felicitous over creating new history in Pan American Games
United States Women’s field hockey team is quite felicitated after it overwhelmed Argentina in the finals of the XVI Pan American Games, making its way to the 2012 London Olympics.
The Americans created a new history by lifting their first ever gold medal since 1987, when field hockey was first included in the continental games.
Katie O’Donnell, US player, while speaking to the media stated that they put great trust in each other that paid off them in terms of a gold medal.
She underlined, “We have made history today by getting a bid to the Olympics. I don’t think anyone on this field thought that we would ever lose this match and that was the most important we had going for us”.
Steve Locke, US Field Hockey Executive Director, applauded the role of the coaches and the supporting staff, saying that the team rendered incredible performances in the mega event.
He also praised the role of the United States Olympic Committee and Scott Blackmun in boosting the morale of players. Following the significant triumph, they are now focusing on the Olympic medal, he added.
Head Coach of the US Women’s field hockey team, Lee Bodimeade, was of the opinion that they entered the field having a victory in their minds. He observed, “To have our team come up today with the score line we did is pretty good evidence of the group we
have on hand”.
Another US player, Jackie Kintzer opined that they were preparing for this moment since January 2011 or even before. They availed their chances and won the match, she added.
Lauren Crandall, US field hockey skipper, stated that Las Leonas (Argentina) was the World’s number-one team. However, she termed the match as a great competition.
She maintained that they did not have a lead in their minds. In her opinion, they continued their hard work and struggle, considering the score was locked at 0-0. Until the final whistle, they did not consider themselves winners of the game.
The skipper named the trophy as a tribute to the previous field hockey players who rendered their support to the team in the finals. She expressed delight, saying that they succeeded to represent the country well in the crucial tournament.
It was a fantastic game that will be remembered by the onlookers for years to come. The defeat by the United States indicates that the Argentina’s reigning period is coming to an end in the region.