July 20, 2001

Follow the U.S. National team on the official website of the U.S. Field Hockey Association.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Maryland All-American Kate Kauffman (West Lawn, Pa.)and the U.S. National field hockey team will continue their World Cup Qualifier preparations against some of the world's top squads as the team travels to Cologne, Germany for games against Germany, The Netherlands and Spain.

The team is scheduled to compete in a series of matches against the three teams from July 21-29 in Cologne.

Kauffman, a 1997 Terp grad and assistant field hockey coach, has been a member of the national team since 1994. Four-time All-American and 2000 Honda Award finalist Carla Tagliente (Cortland, N.Y.) is also a U.S. squad member but will not travel to Cologne. Tagliente is currently on campus taking summer classes.

"This will be a good test for the team," said U.S. head coach Tracey Belbin. "We need to continue to be more consistent in our play, and playing against these teams will give us a good indication on where we need to be in September (for the Qualifier).

The Netherlands earned the bronze medal at the 2000 Olympic Games while Spain finished fourth and Germany, seventh.

The tour will also give Belbin a chance to view the three newest members of the team in goalkeeper Jill Dedman, midfielder Lindsey Keller and defender Mimi Smith. The three were added to the national squad following open tryouts in June. For Smith, the tour marks a comeback to the national team after the Pan American Games silver medallist and former Honda Award winner retired from the team in 2000. Dedman, a former all-region selection at Boston College, and Keller, an 18-year-old standout who completed a year at James Madison University before opting for the national team residency program, will make their national team debuts during the tour.

In addition to Kauffman, Dedman, Keller and Smith, the U.S. team for the tour includes Peggy Storrar, Kate Barber, Natalie Dawson, Kelli Gannon, Tracey Fuchs, Tara Jelley, Tracey Larson, Carrie Lingo, Kristen McCann, Melanie Meerschwam, Kim Miller and Jill Reeve.

Following the Germany tour, the U.S. will continue its training for the World Cup Qualifying Tournament, Sept. 18-30 in Amiens/Abbeville, France. The U.S. will compete in Pool B of the Qualifier with Belgium, Kazakhstan and Scotland.

The top seven teams at the qualifying tournament earn a spot in the 2002 World Cup, Nov. 26-Dec 8, 2002 in Perth, Australia.