Wet weather doesn’t stop competitors at Women’s National Championship
Teams push through rainy, windy conditions on day two of competition in Norfolk
NORFOLK, Va. – May 24, 2013 – USA Field Hockey’s Women’s National Championship continued today under rainy, windy conditions at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. Despite wet and inconvenient weather, athletes persevered and put their best effort forward to compete at the highest level in front of head coach Craig Parnham.
After a disappointing 6-1 loss yesterday against the Under-21’s, Midwest/California came out with vengeance, scoring first and fighting hard to finish with a 3-3 draw. Nicole Wallstedt (San Diego, Cali.) scored in the 20th minute for an early lead, but Pennsylvania’s Katie O’Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.) evened the match, 1-1, before the end of the first half.
Jessica Javalet (Philadelphia, Pa.) put Pennsylvania up by one goal in the 37th minute but Kelsey Harbin (Escondido, Cali.) quickly found an equalizer. Javalet struck again in the 48th minute but the 2-3 lead only lasted two minutes before Anna Simmons (Worthington, Ohio) put one in the cage to equal the score at three.
Midwest/California head coach Shellie Onstead tributes the transformation and improved performance today to the players lack of selfishness. “I think it is a tribute to the players being willing to play out of position and do whatever it takes to make the team go and that has been the key,” said Onstead. “I am really pleased with the transformation from the first match to our second match. At this point I feel like we are starting our tournament and can plan for better play going forward – which is very exciting.”
The second match of the day saw less than stellar playing conditions. New Jersey trailed Mid-Atlantic, 2-1, at the start of the second half when play was suspended because of rain and lightning. Sports Illustrated’s College Athlete of the Year Loren Shealy (Chapel Hill, N.C.) scored first for Mid-Atlantic/South in the 9th minute of play. Michelle Cesan (New Vernon, N.J.) drew the match, 1-1, before halftime with a goal in the 24th minute.
Michelle Kasold (Chapel Hill, N.C.), who tallied two goals on opening day, recorded her third goal of the tournament in the 36th minute, just before the sound of sirens echoed across campus signaling lightning was near. After heavy winds and torrential downpours, play resumed, but the rain didn’t hold off for too long. Mid-Atlantic/South hung on to their one goal lead as the rain soaked the players and the field.
In the final match of the day, the Under-21 team continued their winning streak and remained at the top of the standings by defeating New England/North 1-0. Northwestern’s Nikki Parsley (Evanston, Ill.) scored the only goal of the match in the 29th minute.
Although each squad is vying for the crown of Regional Champions, a bigger reward is also within reach. All of the athletes are being evaluated by U.S. head coach Craig Parnham in hopes of being selected to the Women’s National Team.
The athletes with the best physical robustness and tactical awareness that can deliver under pressure, have a selfless attitude and a willingness to develop just may find themselves on a Parnham’s list of twenty-four who will be getting the ultimate invitation to be a part of Team USA.
Action continues tomorrow afternoon beginning at 4:00 p.m. with Midwest/California facing New Jersey, followed by Pennsylvania vs New England/North at 6:00 p.m. and the final match under the lights at 8:00 p.m. featuring Mid-Atlantic/South and Under-21’s. All matches will be played at Powhatan Sports Complex on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. Admission is free and open to the public.
For more Women’s National Championship coverage, checkout usafieldhockey.com and @USAFieldHockey for tournament updates, results and features.