Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: USA Field Hockey / World Sport Pics
'Cats in Paris: USA Field Hockey Qualifies for 2024 Olympics
1/18/2024 1:23:00β―PM | Field Hockey
RANCHI, India β Members of Northwestern Field Hockey will represent the United States in the 2024 Olympics after the US Women's National Team officially punched their ticket to the games Thursday evening in Ranchi, India. Senior Maddie Zimmer, sophomore transfer Ashley Sessa and Head Coach Tracey Fuchs will all compete with USA Field Hockey this July and August in Paris, France.
After going 3-0 and collecting nine points with victories over India, Italy and New Zealand in pool play, the United Eagles advanced to the semifinal, where they took on Japan. The game was tightly contested through the first half and entered the break scoreless. Japan scored the game's first goal in the 35th minute - the first score the United States allowed during the week. With just eight minutes remaining in the contest, the Eagles scored the equalizer. Then, six minutes later, Abby Tamer scored the game-winner for the United States, securing their bid to the 2024 Olympics.
Following Thursday's action, Sessa was named Player of the Match. The sophomore also contributed to the United States' 2-0 victory over Italy on Sunday with a goal in the second quarter. Sessa, a sophomore, will join the Wildcats for her first season in purple this fall after beginning her career at North Carolina in 2022 and taking an Olympic redshirt season this fall.
Joining her in the games will be Zimmer, who earned back-to-back Player of the Match honors on Sunday and Tuesday. Zimmer is a two-time All-American, former Big Ten Freshman of the Year and 2021 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. She also spentΒ the 2023 seasonΒ training with the U.S. Women's National Team on an Olympic redshirt and will rejoin the 'Cats for the upcoming season.
Both Sessa and Zimmer will appear in their first Olympic Games in 2024. Fuchs competed in both the 1988 and 1996 Olympic Games as an athlete, but will appear as a member of the coaching staff in the event for the first time this summer.
Though they've already secured their Olympic bid, the United Eagles will take on Germany in the final of the Ranchi Qualifier on Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. CT. The game can be viewed on CBS Sports.Β
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After going 3-0 and collecting nine points with victories over India, Italy and New Zealand in pool play, the United Eagles advanced to the semifinal, where they took on Japan. The game was tightly contested through the first half and entered the break scoreless. Japan scored the game's first goal in the 35th minute - the first score the United States allowed during the week. With just eight minutes remaining in the contest, the Eagles scored the equalizer. Then, six minutes later, Abby Tamer scored the game-winner for the United States, securing their bid to the 2024 Olympics.
Following Thursday's action, Sessa was named Player of the Match. The sophomore also contributed to the United States' 2-0 victory over Italy on Sunday with a goal in the second quarter. Sessa, a sophomore, will join the Wildcats for her first season in purple this fall after beginning her career at North Carolina in 2022 and taking an Olympic redshirt season this fall.
Joining her in the games will be Zimmer, who earned back-to-back Player of the Match honors on Sunday and Tuesday. Zimmer is a two-time All-American, former Big Ten Freshman of the Year and 2021 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. She also spentΒ the 2023 seasonΒ training with the U.S. Women's National Team on an Olympic redshirt and will rejoin the 'Cats for the upcoming season.
Both Sessa and Zimmer will appear in their first Olympic Games in 2024. Fuchs competed in both the 1988 and 1996 Olympic Games as an athlete, but will appear as a member of the coaching staff in the event for the first time this summer.
Though they've already secured their Olympic bid, the United Eagles will take on Germany in the final of the Ranchi Qualifier on Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. CT. The game can be viewed on CBS Sports.Β
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Players Mentioned
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