http://www.yardbarker.com/field_hockey Recent articles about Field Hockey en-us There. We put it out there. The University of Richmond's sophomore midfielder Rebecca Barry scored the greatest goal in the history of field hockey. And she did it less than one minute into their... Full story at Bob's Blitz ~ http://www.bobsblitz.com Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:01:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/richmond_spiders_rebecca_barry_scored_the_best_field_hockey_goal_youll_ever_see/12044713 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/richmond_spiders_rebecca_barry_scored_the_best_field_hockey_goal_youll_ever_see/12044713 College field hockey player's amazing goal http://www.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/articles/richmond_spiders_rebecca_barry_scored_the_best_field_hockey_goal_youll_ever_see/12044713 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/1/a197f783b3b6d99330fdb5d20cf780e9b9bd8f65/mini/field-hockey-goal.jpg Score one for the heartbroken bros of the world! Sandeep Singh has been working two jobs to help support his family and was recently dumped by his girlfriend. But the 22-year-old Massachusetts man nicknamed “Sunny,” can console himself with a $30.5 million winning lottery ticket. “My mom needs the help and my family could use it, so God definitely helped us out at the right time,” Singh said at a press conference on Wednesday to accept the winning check. When asked if he had any children, spouse or girlfriend, Singh noted his girlfriend had just left him. “She broke up with me, but right now, I’m not really worried about it,” Singh said, eliciting laughter from the audience. “I was heartbroken at first, but now I’m getting over it.” When asked if he thinks the ex-girlfriend will call him back, Singh said, “Doesn’t matter. I hope not.” Atta boy, Sunny! Watch his press conference below:   via Bossip Article found on: Cosby Sweaters Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:49:58 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/massachusetts_man_wins_305_million_lottery_right_after_his_girlfriend_broke_up_with_him/12006325 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/massachusetts_man_wins_305_million_lottery_right_after_his_girlfriend_broke_up_with_him/12006325 Massachusetts Man Wins $30.5 Million Lottery Right After His Girlfriend Broke Up With Him http://www.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/articles/massachusetts_man_wins_305_million_lottery_right_after_his_girlfriend_broke_up_with_him/12006325 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Aly Raisman's gold medal tour continues on Saturday, with the Olympic gymnast scheduled to throw out the first pitch at Fenway Park. Raisman will also appear on NESN's pregame coverage with Tom Caron live on Yawkey Way and will head up to the booth to chat with Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy during the game. Joining Raisman in throwing out the first pitch will be Tina Charles and Asjha Jones (basketball), Kayla Harrison (judo), Lea Davison (mountain biking), Craig Kinsley and Ruben Sanca (track and field), Melissa Gonzalez (field hockey) as well as Gevvie Stone, Kristin Hedstrom and Will Newell... Sat, 25 Aug 2012 00:47:11 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/olympic_gold_medalist_aly_raisman_to_throw_out_first_pitch_join_nesn_broadcast_during_saturdays_red_sox_game/11544085 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/olympic_gold_medalist_aly_raisman_to_throw_out_first_pitch_join_nesn_broadcast_during_saturdays_red_sox_game/11544085 Olympic Gold Medalist Aly Raisman to Throw Out First Pitch, Join NESN Broadcast During Saturday's Red Sox Game http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/olympic_gold_medalist_aly_raisman_to_throw_out_first_pitch_join_nesn_broadcast_during_saturdays_red_sox_game/11544085 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png For the second time in these Olympics games, blood poured on the Field Hockey field when the Netherlands defeated Argentina 2-0 in the Gold Medal match. Somewhere Abdullah the Butcher is smiling…with a fork in his hand. Fri, 10 Aug 2012 21:52:11 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/field_hockey_the_olympics_most_blood_thirsty_sport/11428654 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/field_hockey_the_olympics_most_blood_thirsty_sport/11428654 Field Hockey: The Olympics Most Blood Thirsty Sport http://www.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/articles/field_hockey_the_olympics_most_blood_thirsty_sport/11428654 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Netherlands used its sturdy defense to get to the women's field hockey final, and coach Max Caldas told some of his best players he needed more from them to win a second straight Olympic title. Their answer was a 2-0 win over world champion Argentina, which had beaten the Dutch in two major finals in the last two years. ''We saved our best for last,'' Caldas said. ''We erased them from the field today.'' At the final whistle, the Netherlands celebrated with a mass hug in their circle. Eight of the players earned their second straight gold medal. ''I can hardly believe it,'' midfielder Eva de Goede said. ''I had a good feeling from the beginning and we played such a good first half, and the second half they (Argentina) were absolutely nowhere.'' Winners of all seven of their games, the Dutch women gave the men's team extra incentive to record the first-ever Olympic double when it plays Germany in that final on Saturday. One of the players Caldas targeted for an improved effort was captain Maartje Paumen, who scored a record 11 goals in Beijing but none until the semifinals, when she smacked in two penalty corners, her specialty. Paumen's first two chances in the final were saved, but she converted the third to lift her Olympic tally to a record 14. ''When the pressure's on, she steps up,'' Caldas said. ''She's all class.'' Paumen's score made it 2-0 with 16 minutes left, and Argentina never recovered. Earlier Friday, Britain's women got the bronze by beating New Zealand 3-1 to secure their country's first Olympic field hockey medal in 20 years. Prince William's wife, the former Kate Middleton, was on hand to applaud the goals, all of them from second-half penalty corners. In the final, Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel scored the first Dutch goal from a rebound of de Goede's corner in the 40th minute. The shot went in just to the left of the post. Van den Heuvel said the Dutch had outplayed Argentina for the entire game, ''and if you take too long scoring, it only gets more and more difficult, so it just had to happen.'' After Argentine goalkeeper Florencia Mutio saved a corner by Paumen, the captain then scored on her next chance. It was her third in London. No. 2-ranked Argentina was seeking its first gold medal, but its captain, Luciana Aymar, couldn't celebrate her 35th birthday with a victory in her last match before retiring. ''She's a great human being more than a great player,'' teammate Macarena Rodriguez Perez. ''Argentina is going to have to find more than one player to replace her.'' Argentina has been unable to get by the Netherlands in the Olympics. The country lost to the Dutch in the 2004 and 2008 semifinals, finishing with bronze medals to go with their silver in 2000 in Sydney. The Netherlands twice missed scoring chances in the first three minutes in scrambles in front of the goal. Argentina's corner specialist Noel Barrionuevo was wide left with her first shot in the ninth, and Dutch goalkeeper Joyce Sombroek turned aside a shot by Aymar. The match was paused after Mariela Scarone was hit under the left eye by Ellen Hoog's stick. Scarone walked of the field with a towel staunching the bleeding, but returned in the second half. Hoog also hit New Zealand's Katie Glynn in the head in the semifinals. Fri, 10 Aug 2012 20:41:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/dutch_women_win_gold_again/11428432 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/dutch_women_win_gold_again/11428432 Dutch women win gold again http://www.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/articles/dutch_women_win_gold_again/11428432 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Netherlands retained the women's Olympic hockey title with a 2-0 win over world champion Argentina at Riverbank Arena on Friday. The Dutch scored off two second-half penalty corners to join Australia as the only three-time Olympic champions. At the final whistle, the Dutch celebrated with a mass hug. The country has a chance at a first-ever Olympic double Saturday when the Dutch men's hockey team takes on Germany. Earlier Friday, Britain's women got the bronze by beating New Zealand 3-1 to secure their country's first Olympic field hockey medal in 20 years. Prince William's wife, the former Kate Middleton, was on hand to applaud the goals, all of them from second-half penalty corners. In the women's final, Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel scored the first Dutch goal from a rebound of midfielder Eva de Goede's corner in the 40th minute. The shot went in just to the left of the post. ''I had a good feeling from the beginning and we played such a good first half, and the second half they (Argentina) were absolutely nowhere,'' De Goede said. Van den Heuvel said the Dutch had outplayed Argentina for the entire game, ''and if you take too long scoring, it only gets more and more difficult, so it just had to happen.'' After Argentine goalkeeper Florencia Mutio saved a corner by Maartje Paumen, the Dutch captain then scored on her next chance a minute later, in the 54th. It was her 14th Olympic goal and third in London. No. 2-ranked Argentina was seeking its first gold medal, but its captain, Luciana Aymar, couldn't celebrate her 35th birthday with a victory in her last match before retiring. Argentina has been unable to get by the Netherlands in the Olympics. The country lost to the Dutch in the 2004 and 2008 semifinals, finishing with bronze medals to go with their silver in 2000 in Sydney. The Netherlands twice missed scoring chances in the first three minutes in scrambles in front of the goal. Argentina's corner specialist Noel Barrionuevo was wide left with her first shot in the 9th, and Dutch goalkeeper Joyce Sombroek turned aside a shot by Aymar. The match was paused after Mariela Scarone was hit under the left eye by Ellen Hoog's stick. Scarone walked of the field with a towel staunching the bleeding, but returned in the second half. Hoog had also hit New Zealand's Katie Glynn in the head in the semifinals. The second Dutch goal was Paumen's third of the tournament, bringing her career Olympic tally to a record 14. Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:39:12 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/dutch_win_2nd_straight_olympic_womens_hockey_gold/11427229 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/dutch_win_2nd_straight_olympic_womens_hockey_gold/11427229 Dutch win 2nd straight Olympic women's hockey gold http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/dutch_win_2nd_straight_olympic_womens_hockey_gold/11427229 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Defending champion Germany and the Netherlands executed stunning semifinal results to set up their first Olympic field hockey final on Thursday. The Germans came from 2-1 down to run over world champion Australia, 4-2, in the last 20 minutes, then the Dutch put on a show of ruthless artistry in humiliating host Britain, 9-2. The Netherlands' biggest Olympic victory and Britain's worst loss added up to the most lopsided semifinal win since 1936, when India downed France, 10-0. Germany and the Netherlands have won four of the last five Olympics but Europe's best teams have never met for the gold medal until now. That showdown on Saturday will be six days after their pool match won 3-1 by the Netherlands. "(Germany) should be afraid of us," Dutch forward Billy Bakker said. "Mentally we are stronger than them." The Dutch could achieve the first-ever Olympic double, as their defending champion women meet Argentina in Friday's final. Australia came to London the favorite for Olympic gold after winning the last four Champions Trophies and the 2010 World Cup, where Germany was beaten in the final. The Kookaburras had shown some vulnerability in draws with Argentina and Britain, but a formidable lineup headed by the game's best player, Jamie Dwyer, still finished the pool stage with the most goals and meanest defense. "We didn't expect to just walk out and win," forward Glenn Turner said. "We made a few mistakes today that were uncharacteristic. We played better in the first half than Germany, but in the second half Germany went for goals." The No. 2-ranked Germans never lost their confidence even after going 1-0 and 2-1 down and having a brilliant solo goal by Oskar Deecke disallowed, much to the capacity crowd's displeasure. In fact, after Australia's second goal in the 42nd minute, the Germans dominated the rest of the fast-paced semifinal. "It was absolutely crazy," Germany goalkeeper Max Weinhold said. "Two times we had to come from one goal back to make the draw then win." Kieran Govers opened for Australia off a rebound, smashing in a volley that bounced under Weinhold and Germany leveled soon after when Moritz Fuerste, one of 10 Beijing gold medallists in the squad, fired a penalty corner into the lower left corner. Turner put Australia back in front after the break, pouncing on a rebound. The Australians would have been expected to take command, but they faded for the third time in their last four matches, as Germany exposed them on the wings and brilliantly finished its chances. Four-time Olympian Matthias Witthaus made it 2-2 and five minutes later the Germans were in front for the first time in the match. Timo Wess, who captained Germany to gold in Beijing, scored from a penalty corner then Florian Fuchs, the team's youngest member at 20, clinched it with a field goal in the 63rd, diving full length to deflect a pass into the goal. Britain played its first semifinal since it won the 1988 Seoul Games and it quickly became apparent that the Dutch, the only team to win all of their pool games, were in another class. "(Five-time Olympian) Teun de Nooijer told me on the bench, 'I have played a lot of semifinals, but it has never happened this big before,'" forward Roderick Weusthof said. "It was unbelievable." Weusthof and Billy Bakker both scored hat tricks and De Nooijer, Mink van der Weerden and captain Floris Evers also netted for the Netherlands. Ashley Jackson and Robert Moore got the Britain goals. The only concern for the Netherlands on Thursday were injuries: coach Paul van Ass said Klaas Vermeulen broke his collarbone and tournament high-scorer Van der Weerden will undergo a scan on his right foot after it was hit by a ball. Germany will play for its fourth gold medal, second only to India's eight, while the Netherlands will seek its third gold. The No. 3-ranked Dutch have timed their run right, following bronze at the 2010 World Cup, silver to Germany at the European championship, and bronze at the 2011 Champions Trophy. "When we work like this and when we give each other the ball and believe in it, nobody can stop us," Weusthof said. Earlier, Pakistan twice came from a goal down to edge South Korea 3-2 to place 7th, and New Zealand finished 9th by beating Argentina 3-1. Fri, 10 Aug 2012 01:20:29 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/netherlands_germany_in_mens_final/11421145 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/netherlands_germany_in_mens_final/11421145 Netherlands, Germany in men's final http://www.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/articles/netherlands_germany_in_mens_final/11421145 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png To honor the London Games and the athletes participating in them, The Slanch Report will be bringing you THRICE DAILY a Hot Olympian of the Day. Each day we will bring you three (likely unknown-to-you) Olympians who, while maybe not quite worthy of a place on the medal stand, certainly are worth being placed on a pedestal for us to enjoy. Celebrate them all on the Hot Olympians page.Argentina's Luciana Aymar is the only field hockey player to ever win the International Hockey Federation's world player of the year award 7 times. She's like, really, really good at field hockey. Called the "Maradona of [Field] Hockey," Aymar, 34, has won the World Cup twice, has a silver and two bronze from previous Olympics and multiple Champions league trophies.When it comes to being successful in field hockey, she's the real deal. Requested by a reader, I hope these photos provide you a fine enough example of her skill and talent.  For more of this amazing Argentine, click ... Mon, 06 Aug 2012 19:54:08 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/london_hot_olympian_of_the_afternoon_argentinas_luciana_aymar/11397499 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/london_hot_olympian_of_the_afternoon_argentinas_luciana_aymar/11397499 London Hot Olympian of the Afternoon: Argentina's Luciana Aymar http://www.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/articles/london_hot_olympian_of_the_afternoon_argentinas_luciana_aymar/11397499 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The United States lost to New Zealand in Olympic women's field hockey Saturday, failing to advance to the medal round. The Netherlands, meanwhile, sealed a spot in the semifinals with a 3-2 win over South Korea. In other matches, China beat Britain 2-1 to stay in the running for the semis, Australia beat South Africa 1-0 to go to the top of its group, and Belgium drew 1-1 with Japan. New Zealand took over first place in its group, while the Americans are in fifth place in the six-team group. The US twice came back from one-goal deficits. New Zealand captain Kayla Sharland netted an early goal from a penalty corner and Gemma Flynn scored in the 19th minute. Katie O'Donnell and Claire Laubach scored the US goals that twice tied the match, until the 64th-minute Kiwi winner from Clarissa Eshuis. "We're a bit disappointed. We had obviously hoped to finish a little higher," US captain Lauren Crandall said. South Korea opened the scoring against the Netherlands with a fifth-minute field goal from Cheon Seul-ki, but Lidewij Welten equalized for the Dutch side five minutes later. The Dutch went ahead on goals by Carlien van den Heuvel and Ellen Hoog, and Cheon scored again from a penalty corner with six minutes left to keep pressure on the Dutch. But the Netherlands' defense held, giving the Dutch their fourth win in a row to guarantee that they will finish first or second in the group. "I think it was good for us that they scored (first), as after that goal we gave so much energy and we were so creative. . . . I think we were the better team today," Dutch forward Kim Lammers said. China ended Britain's three-game winning streak. Fu Baorong and Zhao Yudiao scored from penalty corners in the second half and Britain's only goal came in the last minute by Crista Cullen. "We haven't beaten Great Britain for the last two years, and we have beaten them here," China coach Kim Sang-ryul said. "We played very aggressively -- the match was our last chance." Britain did not make the most of four consecutive first-half penalty corners. The host team faces reigning the Netherlands on Monday. Jade Close scored the only goal of the Australia game with an eighth-minute field goal. Neither side could take advantage of nine penalty corners to add to the scoring. Captain Yukari Yamamoto scored in the 58th minute from a field goal to give Japan its draw with Belgium. Jill Boon had given Belgium the lead from a penalty corner at the end of the first half. Japan and Belgium are at the bottom of their group and will not advance. Sun, 05 Aug 2012 01:29:10 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/us_women_out_of_medal_chase/11379598 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/us_women_out_of_medal_chase/11379598 US women out of medal chase http://www.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/articles/us_women_out_of_medal_chase/11379598 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Argentina overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to draw 2-2 Friday with No. 1-ranked Australia and earn its first points in the men's field hockey competition at the London Games. Argentina captain Matias Vila scored his side's first goal just after halftime and defender Gonzalo Peillat leveled the match from a penalty corner in the final minutes. In other matches Friday, the Netherlands beat New Zealand 5-1 for its third win in a row; Germany moved to the top of its group with a 5-2 win over India; Britain beat Pakistan 4-1 on two goals by Ashley Jackson which brought his tournament total to four, and Spain beat South Africa 3-2. Peillat said Argentina was finding its form. "Our performance will give us a little bit more confidence, and that is a good thing for the two remaining matches that we have," Peillat said. Australia midfielder Matthew Butturini scored his third goal of the tournament, from an 11th-minute penalty corner, and Jamie Dwyer added Australia's second in the 35th minute. The goal was Dwyer's fourth of the tournament and his 180th for Australia, making him the all-time top scorer for his team, overtaking forward Mark Hager. "It's a great honor," Dwyer said. "Mark Hager was a role model of mine." New Zealand took an early lead over the Dutch on a fourth-minute field goal from forward Simon Child, who played his 170th game for his side. But goals from defender Mink van der Weerden and forwards Roderick Weusthof and Billy Bakker put the Netherlands 3-1 in front before halftime. In the second half, Bakker added his second goal and midfielder Robbert Kemperman completed the Dutch scoring. Florian Fuchs scored three goals in the German win over India to move them into first place in Group B. India is winless in the tournament. Britain dominated its crucial match with Pakistan which could determine Group A's two qualifying positions. Ashley Jackson, the FIH 2009 young player of the year, scored two goals for Britain and Jonty Clarke and James Tindall added one each. "Today was good fun ... we worked harder, and we worked harder for one another," Jackson said. Pakistan captain Sohail Abbas scored from a penalty corner in the last minute of the game. "Collectively and tactically they were better than us, so we have to work on that," Abbas said. "We would like the game to have been a bad dream." Spain overcame South Africa to win their first game of the tournament. South Africa defender Justin Reid-Ross opened the scoring from a 26th-minute penalty corner, and Spain midfielder Marc Salles responded straight away, scoring from a Spanish penalty corner. Spain added two more by Pau Quemada and Miguel Delas in the second half. South Africa came back into the game seven minutes before the end with a field goal by Lloyd Norris-Jones but couldn't follow up with an equalizer. Sat, 04 Aug 2012 00:38:53 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/argentina_gains_draw_with_aussies/11373175 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/argentina_gains_draw_with_aussies/11373175 Argentina gains draw with Aussies http://www.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/articles/argentina_gains_draw_with_aussies/11373175 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Twenty-year-old defender Anna Flanagan smashed in a penalty corner in the 33rd minute to score the winning goal for Australia in a closely fought 1-0 match against the US in women's field hockey at the London Olympics Thursday. Flanagan's goal in the 33rd minute of the preliminary round was her second in two successive games, and Australian captain Madonna Blyth was hopeful about her team's chances of progressing to the semifinals. "We're pretty positive with how we're going," she said. "We keep improving. Hopefully we have a good game against Argentina." To progress, the team will have to fight off New Zealand, who beat Australia 1-0 Sunday, and Argentina, who won the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Blyth wasn't very happy with her team's performance. "We were pretty slow to start with," she said. "And I think we saw quite a few shots go past the face of the goal. They were real opportunities that we should have scored." The US sits in fifth place in Pool B play, three points back of four other teams. US midfielder Rachel Dawson, who turned 27 Thursday, remained optimistic despite the loss. "They're a great team, and they capitalized on their opportunities," she said. "But are they loads better than us? No." The result came a day after a shock victory for the US Tuesday against No. 2-ranked Argentina. Earlier, South Korea beat Japan 1-0 in its first victory of the competition. Twenty-year-old Korea forward Cheon Seul-ki scored the only goal of the game in the 41st minute to earn her side three points. "This is my first Olympics and my first Olympic goal so it was really fantastic," Cheon said. But South Korea coach Lee Seonok saw opportunities to improve in his team's performance. "We weren't accurate enough, but luckily for us, we never gave the Japanese a chance of a penalty corner. Before our next game we are going to have to work on our accuracy and make sure that we are successful at taking penalty corners when they are awarded to us," he said. Japanese captain Yukari Yamamoto had not lost hope of advancing to the next round, despite not taking any points from three games. "I believe we still have a chance," she said. "We need to try and not concede goals. We will do (this) as best as possible." Later Thursday the Netherlands faces China in a replay of the 2008 Olympic final, won by the Dutch team. And New Zealand, which tops its group with six points, play potential title challengers Argentina. A win for New Zealand will make them likely candidates to progress to the semifinals. Fri, 03 Aug 2012 01:24:46 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/us_in_5th_place_after_loss_to_aussies/11365168 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/us_in_5th_place_after_loss_to_aussies/11365168 US in 5th place after loss to Aussies http://www.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/articles/us_in_5th_place_after_loss_to_aussies/11365168 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The rankings say the United States beating Argentina qualifies as a significant field hockey upset. The Americans disagree. Shannon Taylor scored late in the first half and the US survived some frantic final moments to topple Argentina 1-0 in women's field hockey Tuesday night at the London Olympics, a win that essentially keeps alive the Americans' medal chances. ''I don't think we think about things in terms of upsets any more,'' said US goalie Amy Swensen, who kicked aside one point-blank chance by the world's second-ranked team late in the second half and got plenty of help from teammates down the stretch as well. ''It's wins and losses and we're just trying to win as many as we can right now.'' Both teams are 1-1 in Group B play. ''We had to get a result today to get our tournament back on track,'' said US coach Lee Bodimeade, whose team came to London ranked No. 10 in the world. ''We were probably fortunate in a lot of ways that we had to play against Argentina, the team that we respect the most in this tournament and the team that drives us to our best performances.'' By now, that's pretty clear. The Americans got into the Olympics by stunning Argentina 4-2 in last year's final at the Pan American Games. That was considered the biggest win in US field hockey history. Not anymore, perhaps. The Americans controlled long stretches of play in the first half, then kept Argentina star Luciana Aymar -- widely considered the world's best player -- largely silent throughout. When the US won the Pan Am Games final, Aymar was quoted saying that the Americans were not at the same level as the Argentines. After this loss, she was far more complimentary. ''We tried everything,'' Aymar said. ''They ball just didn't go in.'' The teams played a four-game test series in June, splitting the matchups -- one win for each team, and the other two games ending in ties -- although Argentina was playing without Aymar, who got tons of attention from the US defense on the blue turf of the London Games. As she carried the ball over midfield midway through the first half, five Americans - yes, five -- surrounded her, each no more than a step or two away. ''We just had to stick to the game plan,'' Taylor said. ''Watch out for Aymar, and play our game.'' The US had a great chance to open the scoring after being awarded a penalty corner with 9 minutes left in the first half, only to be denied. The denial was temporary. Only two minutes later, Taylor got behind the Argentine defense and tipped a ball played by Michelle Vittese into the upper part of the cage, giving goalkeeper Florencia Mutio no chance and giving the Americans a 1-0 lead. That was all it took. ''A complete team effort,'' Swensen said. Argentina had an opportunity to tie the game with about 1:30 left in the half, getting a corner of its own, but Swensen blocked it with ease to help ensure the Americans would head into intermission on top. In the second half, Argentina poured on the pressure. Carla Rebecchi had two great chances, one stopped by Swensen with the right foot, another sailing over the top of the cage with about 7 minutes left. Rocio Sanchez Moccia and Martina Cavallero each had shots from well inside the arc slide just to the left of the cage in the final 14 minutes as well. ''Maybe a bit lucky toward the end of the game,'' Bodimeade said. ''But we got three points and we're looking forward to being back in the tournament.'' Tue, 31 Jul 2012 19:33:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/us_beats_argentina_in_field_hockey/11347093 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/us_beats_argentina_in_field_hockey/11347093 US beats Argentina in field hockey http://www.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/articles/us_beats_argentina_in_field_hockey/11347093 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Shannon Taylor scored late in the first half and the United States upset Argentina 1-0 in women's field hockey Tuesday night at the London Olympics. The Americans got into the Olympics by stunning Argentina 4-2 in last year's final at the Pan American Games. That was considered the biggest win in U.S. field hockey history. Not anymore, perhaps. The Americans controlled long stretches of play against the No. 2-ranked team in the world, got some key saves from Amy Swensen and kept Argentine star Luciana Aymar largely silent throughout. Both teams are 1-1 in Group B play. Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:59:19 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/taylor_lifts_us_over_argentina_in_field_hockey/11343790 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/taylor_lifts_us_over_argentina_in_field_hockey/11343790 Taylor lifts US over Argentina in field hockey http://www.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/articles/taylor_lifts_us_over_argentina_in_field_hockey/11343790 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png In the day's last match, Germany beat the United States 2-1, holding off a strong second-half performance by the Americans. Area athletes Katie O'Donnell and sisters Julia and Katie Reinprecht played in the day's game. O'Donnell hails from Blue Bell while Julia and Katie Reinprecht reside in Perkasie and North Wales. The Netherlands took its first step toward retaining the Olympic women's field hockey gold, beating newcomer Belgium 3-0 Sunday. Argentina lived up to its reputation as one of the tournament favorites by dominating South Africa 7-1. Kim Lammers scored twice in her Olympic debut for the Netherlands. Lammers is the most-capped Dutch player, but she was not selected for the Athens 2004 team and a knee injury forced her to miss the Beijing Olympics. "It's great to score goals in this big tournament," Lammers said. Captain Luciana Aymar scored twice in Argentina's victory. China, the 2008 silver medalist, beat South Korea 4-0, and New Zealand defeated three-time champion Australia 1-0 in the opening match of the tournament. Britain, considered a strong outsider, scored four first-half goals against Japan then relaxed in a goal-less second half. "I think I keep pinching myself and I look around and see London all over the boards. It's an incredible turf I'm playing on with some of my best friends," said Alex Danson, who scored twice for Britain. "It feels incredible to win the game, I don't mind who scores as long as we score one more than the opposition." Hockey is being played on the Riverbank Arena's newly built bright blue pitch, with a pink border. It is the first time an Olympic hockey tournament has been played on a pitch that is not green. The garish color scheme is designed to contrast with the fast-moving yellow ball, making the game easier to play for competitors, and easier to follow for spectators. They also reflect the London Olympics' colors. Earlier Sunday, Cathryn Finlayson scored in the third minute to give New Zealand its victory over old rival Australia. Australia's last gold medal was at home during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. New Zealand, meanwhile, is improving after failing to win a match at the Beijing Games. New Zealand had the ball in the Australian net in just the second minute, but the umpire had already blown for a short corner for an earlier offense. From the corner, Finlayson scored her 18th international goal. Australia threw everything into attack in the second half but could not break down the stubborn Kiwi defense. It could have fallen further behind had it not been for a great low save by goalkeeper Toni Cronk on a Charlotte Harrison backhand shot. "We created a lot of chances in the first half," New Zealand captain Kayla Sharland said. "We scouted them a lot, we watched a lot of video footage of them." In Sunday's third match, China's leading scorers both came through. Yibo Ma opened the scoring with a penalty corner in the 26th minute, and Yudiao Zhao followed up with a goal 16 minutes into the second half. The 23-year-old Zhao made her international debut in 2007, and in 2010 she was awarded Young Player of the Year by the International Hockey Federation. "Beijing was my first Olympic Games and four years have now passed, and I know I have improved a lot during that time," she said. Sun, 29 Jul 2012 23:49:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/us_comes_up_short_despite_strong_half/11328961 http://network.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/article_external/us_comes_up_short_despite_strong_half/11328961 US comes up short despite strong half http://www.yardbarker.com/field_hockey/articles/us_comes_up_short_despite_strong_half/11328961 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul were spotted with Shannon Taylor and Michelle Kasold of the U.S. Women’s Field Hockey Team last night. (via @mkasold18) Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:44:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/spotted_carmelo_cp3_with_girls_from_us_womens_hockey_team/11313496 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/spotted_carmelo_cp3_with_girls_from_us_womens_hockey_team/11313496 Spotted: Carmelo & CP3 With Girls From U.S. Women’s Hockey Team http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/spotted_carmelo_cp3_with_girls_from_us_womens_hockey_team/11313496 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png