May 8, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Three former Terrapins helped the United States Field Hockey National Team qualify for the 2006 World Cup over the weekend. The University of Maryland's Lauren Powley, Dina Rizzo and Sara Silvetti all started for the Americans who placed fourth overall at the World Cup Qualifier which was held in Rome, Italy.

The 12-team World Cup takes place in Madrid, Spain, Sept. 26-Oct. 8. An All-American in 2001 as a member of the Terps, Rizzo has been a veteran member of the US squad, while Powley, a senior on this season's 2005 NCAA and ACC Championship squad and a four-time All-American, and 2004 All-American Silvetti are in their second stint with the full senior team.

The USA joins continental and ranking qualified teams Argentina, Australia, Germany, India, The Netherlands, South Africa and host Spain, as well as, qualifier teams England, Korea, Japan and the China in Madrid.

The USA began the tournament with a 1-1 draw with Ireland, tallying the game-tying penalty corner shot with :30 remaining in the game. The USA then hung on for a 1-0 win over world 6th-ranked New Zealand and edged home-standing Italy in a rain-delayed contest spread across two days after play was suspended until the next morning because of flooded field conditions.

The USA continued its march to Madrid with a 4-2 win over Azerbaijan. The win, in combination with a Korea win over New Zealand, assured the USA a spot in the semifinals and a berth in the World Cup. The team lost its final pool match 3-0 in an experimental game with Korea and lost a heartbreaking 1-0 semifinal match to England with no time left in the overtime period. In the consolation match, the Red, White and Blue succumbed to Japan, 4-1.

With the World Cup berth secured, the USA will return to Virginia Beach to begin its training for the sport of field hockey's world championship. The team's preparations will include a four nation tournament in August featuring the world's three top rated teams including No. 1 The Netherlands, No. 2 Argentina and No. 3 Australia. The tournament is scheduled for Aug. 17-20 at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex on the campus of the University of Maryland in College Park and August 23-27 in Virginia Beach.

For more information on the U.S. National Team and the upcoming Four Nations Tournament to be held in College Park, visit www.usfieldhockey.com.

-TERPS-