Vizzuso Starts, USA Field Hockey Takes Silver

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Aug. 5, 1999

WINNIPEG, Canada – Cavalier All-American Michelle Vizzuso(Fairfield, N.J./West Essex) started in today’s gold medal match in the PanAm Games, but the USA fell to the defending champs Argentina 5-2, takingthe silver for the tournament.

The USA jumped on top early as Cindy Werley took a Kate Barber passto the cage two minutes into the game, the first time that the Argentinianswere down in the entire tournament. The defending champions stormed back,however, scoring twice in the half, including a stroke with 22 secondsremaining before the half. But the Americans showed that they weredetermined to win, and captain Tracey Fuchs flicked the ball downfield andCarla Tagliente slammed it in the net as time expired to send the teams tohalftime tied 2-2.

Although the momentum seemed to favor the Americans, the secondhalf was all Argentina, as the team scored three unanswered goals to takethe gold. Argentina thus automatically qualifies for the Sydney Olympics,joining host and defending World and Olympic Champion Australia and AsianGames champion Korea.

The USA will travel to England in March of 2000 to try to qualifyfor the games at the tournament there. The Olympic field will expand to 10teams in 2000.