Six Tigers Named To USA Field Hockey U-21 and Development Squads

USA Field Hockey Release

LANCASTER, Pa. – Princeton will be well-represented with USA Field Hockey as four Tigers were named to the U.S. U-21 National Team and two more to the National Development Squad, the organization announced today.

Maddie Bacskai, Julianna Tornetta '21, Sophia Tornetta and Elise Wong were picked to the U-21 squad while Cat Caro and Ryan McCarthy were selected to the development team. Princeton's four representatives on the U-21 team are the most in the country.

Bacskai and Wong were vital cogs for Princeton's defensive unit in 2016. The Tigers ranked inside the top-20 nationally in goals-against-average (17th, 1.61) and posted four shutouts. Princeton's defense was fantastic in Ivy League play, allowing just 3.9 shots per game and eight goals total. Bacskai added two goals and three assists while Wong had seven helpers for the Tigers. This is Bacskai's second year with the U-21 team as she helped it to Junior Pan American Games Silver Medal and fifth place in the Junior World Cup (2016). Wong has spent the past two years with U-19 junior national unit.

Julianna Tornetta '21 is well acquainted with the national teams as she spent time with the U-21, U-19 and U-17 U.S. groups and has participated in camps with USA Field Hockey since 2012.

Sophia Tornetta's 2016 campaign wrapped up with nine goals and 10 assists in 13 contests. Her 2.15 points per game would have been 18th in the country if she qualified. The sophomore scored a goal in eight outings and secured a point in every game except for two. Tornetta has already spent time with the U-21 squad, helping it to Junior Pan American Games Silver Medal and fifth place in the Junior World Cup (2016).

Caro completed her Princeton career in extraordinary fashion with a first team All-American accolade. She had a personal-high 18 goals and 47 points as the Tigers reached the Final Four. She registered a point in 15 of the team's 19 games and finished the season eighth in the country in goals (.95) and 13th in points per game (2.26). The two-time captain was remarkable against Ivy opponents, averaging over three points per contest with nine goals and four assists.

McCarthy had a breakout 2016 with a career-high 14 goals and 33 points for the Tigers. In her two seasons prior, the junior had 12 goals combined. McCarthy collected points in the team's first four games and three of its last four contests while completing the season with three multi-goal outings. She led the team with five game-winning tallies, putting the Tigers on top vs. then-No. 10 Delaware, American, Columbia, Towson and No. 5 Penn State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

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