Northwestern University Athletics
Blas, Halsey, Marshall Named to 2020 Team USA U-21 National Team
1/14/2020 4:10:00β―PM | Field Hockey
EVANSTON, Ill. β Northwestern players Kayla Blas, Peyton Halsey and Alia Marshall have been named to the 2020 U.S. U-21 Women's National Team, the organization announced on Tuesday.
The three Wildcats make up a squad of approximately 36 athletes across the field hockey circuits and will begin training next month in Chula Vista, Calif. from February 20-24. An additional training camp will take place from March 27-29 in Chapel Hill and Durham N.C. Following those camps and further roster cuts, the national team will then begin preparations for the Junior Pan American Championship, taking place from November 30 to December 13 in Santiago, Chile.
Northwestern was one of just four programs to have three or more participants selected to the team, joining Louisville, Maryland and Duke.
"There is a lot of depth in this age group with their talent, athleticism andΒ coachingΒ ability, which bodes well," said the squad's head coach, Jarred Martin. "This is an exciting year for this age group with some test series and training camps culminating with the Junior Pan American Championship in December."
As a sophomore, Blas helped anchor the Wildcats' defense throughout the 2019 season. As a unit, the 'Cats' defense held their opponents to one goal or fewer in 10 games this season, including five of their eight conference games. The Pendleton, N.Y. native also finished second on the team with nine assists on the year on her way to earning NFHCA All-Region selections as well as Second Team All-Big Ten honors.
Both Marshall and Halsey made an immediate impact on the program in their rookie seasons in Evanston, playing a key role in the Wildcats' NCAA Tournament run. Halsey made 14 starts on the season, tallying three goals and one assist. As a midfielder, Marshall appeared in every game while tallying one goal and three points on the year.
Incoming first-year Maddie Zimmer was also selected the team but unable to participate due to injury. The Hersey, Pennsylvania native will be able to receive a trial at the team's next training opportunity. Zimmer has previously toured with the U-21 national team, receiving her first cap with the squad in September of 2019.
All three players will return to Northwestern next season for the Wildcats' 2020 campaign. The Wildcats are coming off a 14-8 season which culminated in the program's second NCAA Tournament appearance in the last three seasons.
β’β’β’β’β’β’
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'CatsΒ --Β Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter,Β become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook,Β check us out on Instagram, visit ourΒ Social Media pageΒ and download our mobile app from theΒ Apple StoreΒ andΒ Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become aΒ season-ticket holderΒ or join theΒ Wildcat Fund!
The three Wildcats make up a squad of approximately 36 athletes across the field hockey circuits and will begin training next month in Chula Vista, Calif. from February 20-24. An additional training camp will take place from March 27-29 in Chapel Hill and Durham N.C. Following those camps and further roster cuts, the national team will then begin preparations for the Junior Pan American Championship, taking place from November 30 to December 13 in Santiago, Chile.
Northwestern was one of just four programs to have three or more participants selected to the team, joining Louisville, Maryland and Duke.
"There is a lot of depth in this age group with their talent, athleticism andΒ coachingΒ ability, which bodes well," said the squad's head coach, Jarred Martin. "This is an exciting year for this age group with some test series and training camps culminating with the Junior Pan American Championship in December."
As a sophomore, Blas helped anchor the Wildcats' defense throughout the 2019 season. As a unit, the 'Cats' defense held their opponents to one goal or fewer in 10 games this season, including five of their eight conference games. The Pendleton, N.Y. native also finished second on the team with nine assists on the year on her way to earning NFHCA All-Region selections as well as Second Team All-Big Ten honors.
Both Marshall and Halsey made an immediate impact on the program in their rookie seasons in Evanston, playing a key role in the Wildcats' NCAA Tournament run. Halsey made 14 starts on the season, tallying three goals and one assist. As a midfielder, Marshall appeared in every game while tallying one goal and three points on the year.
Incoming first-year Maddie Zimmer was also selected the team but unable to participate due to injury. The Hersey, Pennsylvania native will be able to receive a trial at the team's next training opportunity. Zimmer has previously toured with the U-21 national team, receiving her first cap with the squad in September of 2019.
All three players will return to Northwestern next season for the Wildcats' 2020 campaign. The Wildcats are coming off a 14-8 season which culminated in the program's second NCAA Tournament appearance in the last three seasons.
β’β’β’β’β’β’
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'CatsΒ --Β Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter,Β become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook,Β check us out on Instagram, visit ourΒ Social Media pageΒ and download our mobile app from theΒ Apple StoreΒ andΒ Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become aΒ season-ticket holderΒ or join theΒ Wildcat Fund!
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