Aug. 14, 2008
USA Field Hockey
BEIJING, China - The US field hockey team suffered its first loss of the Olympics, falling to Germany, 4-2, in group play. Former Terrapin Keli Smith assisted on the American's first goal, tying the game at 1-1 in the first half.
The Americans fall to 0-2-1, collecting two points. The Germans are undefeated in three games at the Olympics and sits atop the Pool B standings. The USA is guaranteed at least three more games, two pool play matches against New Zealand and Great Britain, and one crossover match to determine the final standings.
For the third-straight game, the US trailed early, giving up a 1-0 lead to Germany less than seven minutes into the game. But the Americans came back to knot the score, with the help of Keli Smith (Selinsgrove, Pa.), a few minutes later. But Germany scored three unanswered goals to put the game away. It was not until there was 26 minutes remaining in the game that the Americans were on the board, once again. Germany was the 2004 Olympic champion.
Also playing significant minutes were Lauren Powley (Mountaintop, Pa.) and Dina Rizzo (Walpole, Mass.), both veterans of the U.S. National Team and former Terrapins.
The U.S. Olympic field hockey team faces New Zealand on Saturday, Aug. 16. The U.S. is slotted in Pool B with Argentina, Germany, Great Britain, Japan and New Zealand.
The game will be shown on tape-delay on the USA Network and USA-HD on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. ET. All field hockey games will be webcast live on www.nbcolympics.com. Check local listings for channel and times.
-TERPS-
