University of North Carolina Athletics
U.S. Field Hockey Keeps Olympic Dreams Alive
March 31, 2000 | Field Hockey
March 31, 2000
The U.S. Field Hockey team defeated Japan 2-0 on Friday to advance to Saturday's matchup with China and keep alive its dream of an Olympic berth. The winner of the U.S.-China game will finish fifth in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, being played in Milton Keynes, England, and earn a spot in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
UNC alum Peggy Storrar earned the shutout for the U.S. team against Japan. Former Tar Heel Cindy Werley and rising senior Jana Toepel also were in the starting lineup. Kate Barber, another former Carolina player, was a substitute.
The U.S. team took a first-half lead on a penalty corner goal by Kris Fillat. Kelli James scored on a breakaway in the second half. "People who we expected to play well really stepped up today and had very good games," U.S. coach Tracey Belbin said. "We had more peole on the field playing well for longer periods of time and it's excellent to see that."
Germany, Spain, Great Britain and New Zealand have locked up the top four tournament spots to earn places in the Olympic field. Argentina, Australia, Korea, The Netherlands and South Africa already had qualified for the games.
