May 1, 2006

ROME, ITALY - Former Wake Forest field hockey standout Kelly Doton has started all four matches for the United States and fellow Demon Deacon Claire Laubach continues to earn playing time, as the USA Field Hockey women improve to 3-0-1 with a 4-2 victory over Azerbaijan at the World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

The USA has one pool game remaining against Korea on Tuesday. A Korea victory over New Zealand in the late game would clinch a spot in the tournament semifinals and send the USA to the World Cup this September in Madrid.

In the victory over Azerbaijan, the US jumped out to a 3-0 lead and then survived a late rally to hold on for the win. "We were carrying good form into it, but I don't think we executed the things we really wanted to do in this game. But I'll take three points at the international level any day," said head coach Lee Bodimeade

The USA jumped out in front early when April Fronzoni (Larksville, Pa.) knocked in a ball from in front of the Azerbaijan cage in the 12th minute of play. Tiffany Snow (Escondido, Calif.) added to the lead with a field goal a minute later to give the USA a quick 2-0 advantage.

Dina Rizzo (Walpole, Mass.) extended the USA lead to 3-0 just before halftime.

"We were a little disappointed in the way we came out," said U.S. captain Kate Barber (West Chester, Pa.). "We wanted to get ahead early. That was part of our gameplan and we were successful with that. But we have a lot to look at and a lot to improve on. We have a tough game against Korea tomorrow and hopefully we can win the pool after that."

The USA maintained the lead until 13 minutes remained in the game when Azerbaijan's Zeynab Nuriyeva deflected in a ball past U.S. keeper Amy Tran (Grantville, Pa.) and Liana Nuriyeva added a field goal just two minutes later to cut the USA advantage to 3-2.

The USA quickly regained its composure and Robyn Kenney (Readington, N.J.) knocked in a pass from Barber with 4:00 left in the game to secure the win for the USA.

"The good thing is we are in control of what we're doing," said Bodemeade on the USA's path to a World Cup berth. "If things fall our way, that's great. But again, we're in a position where the outcome is up to us. But if we keep going down this path we'll be all right.