CHULA VISTA, Calif. – February 8, 2016 - With less than 6 months until the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) transitioned to the West Coast of the United States to compete in their first capped match of the year. Team USA defeated Canada with a 8 -1 win at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center, marking the first contest of a four-match event.

“This is a really important series for us,” said Craig Parnham, USWNT Head Coach. “It's one of the several we have incorporated into the buildup of the Champions Trophy and the Olympics. It's good for us to have an international opponent that we can continue to work and develop our own game so that we can keep learning about ourselves with a view to the summer Olympic Games." 

Dashing off of the midfield line and into the think of the action, USA kept great communication in their defensive end to find Jill Witmer (Lancaster, Pa.) in the middle of the pitch. She ran with speed on the right sideline to locate Michelle Vittese (Cherry Hill, N.J.) for a give-and-go pass combination. Canada interfered with the advance to redirect play but it wasn’t long until Team USA drove into their attack circle again. Caitlin Van Sickle (Wilmington, Del.) with clever stick work dished a ball to Michelle Kasold (Chapel Hill, N.C.) who sent a backhanded shot to the backboard to change the score USA 1, Canada 0 in the 7th minute. The red, white and blue wasted no time to make their way back into the offense end, earning a penalty corner. Off of Lauren Crandall's (Doylestown, Pa.) direct hit, Julia Reinprecht (Perkasie, Pa.) was able to place a touch on the ball to change the score USA 2, Canada 0 during the 8th minute. Continuing the scoring frenzy, Katie Bam (Blue Bell, Pa.) slammed a sharp strike past Canada’s goalkeeper to successfully convert a chance into a goal and keep Canada scoreless. USA maintained a strong and consistent attack presence within their offense circle until a quick redirection of play, gave way to Canada’s Hannah Haughn’s shot on cage to secure the team's first goal in the 13th minute. Team USA kept good pressure up front for Bam to capitalize on a goalmouth scramble, her second goal of the game to change the score USA 4, Canada 1. In the 23rd minute, Witmer got a shot off at close range to convert on the chance. In the 30th minute, Crandall finished USA’s scoring in the first half when she crushed a straight shot past the Canada defense and goalkeeper off of a penalty corner to develop a halftime score of USA 6, Canada 1.

The scoreboard saw no movement in the third quarter with both teams vying to cross the goal line until the fourth and final 15 minutes of the game. Keeping an aggressive attack mindset until the very last second, Crandall again picked up the ball to slide it past the goal line solidifying a final score of USA 8, Canada 1

Also today, USWNT veteran forward Bam reached a landmark achievement within the sport of hockey by earning her 200th cap. 

"I'd like to dedicate this cap to all of my past and present teammates," said Bam. "They're awesome. I couldn't have done this without them."

The series continues with the USWNT competing against Canada tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. PST. Follow live match updates by following @USAFieldHockey on Twitter.