Aug. 4, 2003
* Photo and story courtsey of U.S. Field Hockey
SANTO DOMINGO - The U.S. Field Hockey women's national team used five, first half penalty corner goals to down Jamaica, 5-0, in the team's opening game of the XIV Pan American Games tournament. Two of the U.S.'s goals, including the game-winner, were netted by former Old Dominion Lady Monarch Jill Reeve ('92).
"It's a good start for us," said U.S. coach Beth Anders. "Moments in our first half were very good, We're going to grow through the tournament. There's a few things we're going to address and we're going to get better."
The U.S. got off to a quick start when Jill Reeve (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.) blasted the first of 22 corner opportunities into the back of the goal to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead two minutes into the game.
"It's always nice to get the first one in," said Reeve who is appearing in her second Pan American Games tournament. "Then your nerves start to settle down and you can get into the game."
The U.S. added to the lead at the 22-minute mark when Tracey Fuchs (Centereach, N.Y.) connected on the first of her two penalty corner goals, and the U.S. continues its dominance two minutes later when Reeve connected on her second score of the game.
With out unveiling their full array of penalty corner plays, Kate Barber (West Chester, Pa.) and Fuchs added additional first half goals to give the U.S. its 5-0 halftime lead. The game represented a milestone for Barber who appeared in her 100th international contest.
"I think our execution on our corners is pretty solid right now," said Reeve. "In the second half was a little bit different, but I think we were taking too much time thinking about what we wanted to do instead of just staying really quick and executing.
The U.S. continued to control the game in the second half, but eight second half saves by Jamaica keeper Lorie -Ann McIntosh kept the U.S. scoreless through the final 35 minutes.
"I think in the second half we had a lot more opportunities," said Anders. "They just didn't fall. Sooner or later they're going to fall."
The U.S. continues pool play at 8:30 on Tuesday, Aug. 5 against Uruguay at the Parque del Este Hockey Stadium.
Game Summary
USA 5, Jamaica 0
USA: Jill Reeve (2:00, pc)USA: Tracey Fuchs (22:00, pc)USA: Jill Reeve (24:00, pc)USA: Kate Barber (28:00, pc)USA: Tracey Fuchs (34:00, pc)
United States
Starters: Kristen McCann, Peggy Storrar (GK), Tara Jelley, Tracey Larson, Kelli Gannon, Tracey Fuchs, Katie Beach, Keli Smith, Jill Reeve, Carrie Lingo, Kate Barber
Reserves: Robyn Kenney, Dina Rizzo, Abbey Woolley, Jessica Coleman
Jamaica
Starters: Lorie-Ann McIntosh (GK), Azra Blythe, Annmarie Smith, Andrea Cobran, Erica Chambers, Chantel Russell, Nicole Grant, Sharee Russell, Carla Hewitt, Kadena Brown, Shareeka Elliot
Reserves: Karen Wilson, Stacey-Ann Jones, Shakeela Elliott, Shackera Williams
Cards: USA: Carrie Lingo (G, 20:00), JAM: Kadene Brown (G, 20:00)