Princeton University Athletics
Beth Yeager (9th from the left) and the US field hockey team have qualified for the Paris Olympics with a 2-1 win over Japan in India. Photo courtesy of USA Field Hockey/World Sport Pics
Americans In Paris — Yeager, USA Top Japan To Clinch Spot In Summer Olympics
January 18, 2024 | Field Hockey
The United States women's national field hockey team went from the brink of misery to the peak of happiness in about three minutes Thursday in Ranchi, India.
With their backs to the wall late in their Olympic qualifier semifinal game against Japan, the Americans scored two four-quarter goals in three minutes for a stunning 2-1 win. The victory vaulted the U.S. into the 12-team field for the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Princeton junior-to-be Beth Yeager, who scored the only goal in the U.S. team's 1-0 win over New Zealand in the final group stage game, is one of the 16 members of the team. The Americans, No. 12 in the world, are now 4-0 in the tournament and have beaten three teams that are ahead of them in the rankings: No. 6 India, No. 11 New Zealand and now No. 9 Japan, as well as No. 19 Italy.
"I'm so excited and proud to have qualified," Yeager said. "It's an honor to represent the US and be a part of this team. Carla, Dina and Sarah have been so supportive and helpful — I'm so grateful to them and all of TFH and can't wait to be back at Bedford."
The Americans did not allow a goal in any of their three group games, but Japan finally broke through early in the third quarter, ending the U.S. scoreless streak at 218 minutes. If that lead held up, then the U.S. would have found itself in the very unenviable position of having to win the third-place game Friday to get through the Paris. To go from dominating the group stage to having to deal with the pressure of elimination would have been brutal.
Instead, Ashley Hoffman tied in on a penalty corner with eight minutes left, and then Abigail Tamer blasted in the winner off a rebound on another corner with five minutes to go. When the clock reached all zeroes, it started a massive celebration on the part of the U.S. team.
The U.S. did not qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, but Tiger Field Hockey was represented on the U.S. team in the two Olympiads prior, with Kat Sharkey, Julia Reinprecht and Katie Reinprecht in 2016 and the two Reinprechts and alternate Michelle Cesan in 2012.
The U.S. plays Germany Friday at 9 am Eastern in the tournament final. After the semifinals at the two qualifying tournaments, there are 10 of the 12 Olympic berths clinched, with the last two to be determined in Friday's consolation games (India vs. Japan and Great Britain vs. Ireland). The 10 teams who have clinched are: the United States, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Argentina, China, Australia, the Netherlands, South Africa and France.
With their backs to the wall late in their Olympic qualifier semifinal game against Japan, the Americans scored two four-quarter goals in three minutes for a stunning 2-1 win. The victory vaulted the U.S. into the 12-team field for the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Princeton junior-to-be Beth Yeager, who scored the only goal in the U.S. team's 1-0 win over New Zealand in the final group stage game, is one of the 16 members of the team. The Americans, No. 12 in the world, are now 4-0 in the tournament and have beaten three teams that are ahead of them in the rankings: No. 6 India, No. 11 New Zealand and now No. 9 Japan, as well as No. 19 Italy.
"I'm so excited and proud to have qualified," Yeager said. "It's an honor to represent the US and be a part of this team. Carla, Dina and Sarah have been so supportive and helpful — I'm so grateful to them and all of TFH and can't wait to be back at Bedford."
The Americans did not allow a goal in any of their three group games, but Japan finally broke through early in the third quarter, ending the U.S. scoreless streak at 218 minutes. If that lead held up, then the U.S. would have found itself in the very unenviable position of having to win the third-place game Friday to get through the Paris. To go from dominating the group stage to having to deal with the pressure of elimination would have been brutal.
Instead, Ashley Hoffman tied in on a penalty corner with eight minutes left, and then Abigail Tamer blasted in the winner off a rebound on another corner with five minutes to go. When the clock reached all zeroes, it started a massive celebration on the part of the U.S. team.
The U.S. did not qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, but Tiger Field Hockey was represented on the U.S. team in the two Olympiads prior, with Kat Sharkey, Julia Reinprecht and Katie Reinprecht in 2016 and the two Reinprechts and alternate Michelle Cesan in 2012.
The U.S. plays Germany Friday at 9 am Eastern in the tournament final. After the semifinals at the two qualifying tournaments, there are 10 of the 12 Olympic berths clinched, with the last two to be determined in Friday's consolation games (India vs. Japan and Great Britain vs. Ireland). The 10 teams who have clinched are: the United States, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Argentina, China, Australia, the Netherlands, South Africa and France.
Wednesday, November 12
Tuesday, June 04
Friday, June 02
Wednesday, November 02