USA Defeats China in Field Hockey World Cup

Story Links

May 27, 1998

UTRECHT, the Netherlands — The United States Women’s Field Hockey team defeated China 4-0 in the 1998 World Cup yesterday and stands in fourth place at the end of the preliminary pool play. The University of Virginia is represented on the team by two seniors, Michelle Vizzuso (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex) and Lori Mastropietro (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock).

Vizzuso scored her first international goal in the US team’s game against Australia, which was the Stars and Stripes’ only goal in the 6-1 loss to the defending World Champions. Australia stands in first place at the end of the preliminary round. Earlier in the competition the United States lost to Germany 5-1 and to South Africa 2-1. The United States also defeated Scotland 2-1, who finished in fifth place in the pool. Vizzuso was named a first team All-American in 1997 and is one of only two players with collegiate eligibility on the team.

Mastropietro is expected to step into a significant role with the unfortunate loss of longtime team member Jill Reeve, who tore her ACL in the game against Scotland. Reeve, who starts at sweeper, was a member of the 1994 bronze medal team at the World Cup. Mastropietro, who was a third-team All-American at sweeper for Virginia, anchored the nation’s top scoring defense as the Cavaliers allowed less than a goal per game. She joins Vizzuso as the only two members of the team with college eligibility remaining.

The United States will face Korea in the crossover match which will take place on May 29. The winner will advance to the fifth-place game against the winner of the South Africa-New Zealand game and will be played on May 31. The United States won the bronze medal at the last World Cup in Dublin in 1994.