Oct. 13, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - With three North Carolina field hockey players on the roster, the U.S. took first place at the Junior Pan American Games, beating Chile 2-1 in overtime on Sunday in Mexico City. Elizabeth Drazdowski, Riley Foster and Jackie Kintzer helped the team to a 4-0-1 record in international play and will have gold medals in tow when they rejoin the Tar Heel squad Tuesday after more than a week away.

"We're so excited for them, and we're thrilled to have them back," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "Representing your country in international competition is an amazing experience, and to top it off by winning a gold medal really takes that sense of pride to another level. It's something they'll always remember. I'm sure they've grown as people and as players over the past week."

The trio missed a pair of UNC games last weekend - a loss at Boston College Friday and a neutral-site win over Yale Sunday - but will be back on the field when Carolina hosts Virginia this Saturday for an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.

The U.S. had won silver in the last two Junior Pan Am Games, in 2000 and 2005. By finishing first in Mexico City, the team qualifies for the 2009 Junior World Cup, to be held in Boston next August. Chile and Argentina also qualify by finishing second and third.

For more information and photos from the championship game, go to usfieldhockey.com.

Recapping the tournament action:

Oct. 11, 2008
The U.S. beat Mexico 6-1 Friday in a semifinal game at the Junior Pan Am Games in Mexico City. UNC's Elizabeth Drazdowski scored a U.S. goal, her sixth of the competition. Tar Heel goalkeeper Jackie Kintzer also was in the starting lineup, and Riley Foster came off the bench.

Drazdowski's goal came in the 43rd minute of play. Connecticut's Melissa Gonzalez opened with the game's first goal and Maryland's Katie O'Donnell scored four times, twice in each half.

The U.S. will face Chile, a 3-1 winner over Argentina in the other semifinal, for the gold medal. That game is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 12, at 3:30 p.m. local time (4:30 p.m. ET).

Oct. 10, 2008

After opening the competition with a pair of wins, the U.S. earned a 1-1 tie with Chile. Kelsey Kolojejchick scored the U.S. goal in the 54th minute. The 2-1 record gave the Americans first place in Pool B and set up a semifinals meeting with Mexico, the runner-up in Pool A.

Oct. 8, 2008
The U.S. team improved to 2-0 in Junior Pan American Games play with a 7-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, with Tar Heel Elizabeth Drazdowski scoring two goals. The sophomore from Mountain Top, Pa., opened the scoring in the 25th minute then added another in the 32nd to put her team up 2-0 at halftime.

UNC sophomore Jackie Kintzer and junior Riley Foster also were in the starting lineup for the win.

Oct. 7, 2008
North Carolina sophomore Elizabeth Drazdowski scored the gamewinner in the first minute of play and went on to record a hat trick as the U.S. team opened play at the 2008 Junior Pan American Games Monday with a 21-0 win over Bermuda. The international competition is a first for Drazdowski.

UNC's Riley Foster and Jackie Kintzer also are on the squad. Foster saw action off the bench and Kintzer, a goalkeeper, did not play against Bermuda.