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U.S. Team Falls In Olympic Quest
March 27, 2004
The U.S. Field Hockey National Team fell 4-0 Friday to Korea at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, ending the squad's quest for a spot in the field at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. The U.S. and Korea were playing in the fifth-sixth place game for the final berth.
The 18-player U.S. roster included seven former UNC players: Kate Barber, Meredith Keller, Carrie Lingo, Kristen McCann, Peggy Storrar, Amy Tran and Abbey Woolley. Barber, Lingo, McCann and Storrar were in the starting lineup for the crucial game.
"Korea outplayed us, it's basically that simple," said USA coach Beth Anders. "They played extremely well. As far as Olympic dreams are concerned, there are a lot of dreams shattered today. And that's not going to be easy."
Korea scored on two penalty corners within a three-minute span to take a 2-0 lead midway through the first half. The team scored again at the 29-minute mark and led 3-0 at the half. Korea got its final goal with 14 minutes to play. The U.S. team advanced to face Korea with a 2-1 overtime win over Ireland on Friday. McCann scored the game's first goal on a pass from Barber.
The Olympic field will include Japan, Spain, New Zealand and Germany, which joined Korea in securing spots via the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Those five will join continental qualifiers Argentina, Australia, China, The Netherlands and South Africa in Athens.
The loss marks the second time in a row that the U.S. has missed out on an Olympic berth with a defeat in the fifth-sixth place game at the Olympic qualifier. In 2000, the team fell 2-0 to China.
Korea 4, USA 0
USA Starters: Angie Loy, Kristen McCann, Peggy Storrar (GK), Tara Jelley, Tracey Fuchs, Katie Beach, Keli Smith, Carrie Lingo, Kate Barber, Dina Rizzo, Kristi Gannon
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