Christina Kirkaldy Invited to National Team Tryouts

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Feb. 5, 2007

Chula Vista, CA — Virginia assistant coach Christina Kirkaldy has been invited to train with the US National Field Hockey Squad and will enter residency at the National Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. The US Women’s National Teams will play a USA-A vs USA-B series Feb 11-13 in Chula Vista as the team continues its preparation for the Ata Holding Hockey Champions’ Challenge in June.

Kirkaldy, a former national rookie of the year who helped Michigan State to their first No. 1 ranking in school history and a pair of national semifinal berths, helped Virginia return to the NCAA Championships and a top-10 national ranking in 2006. A four-time All-Regional and All-Conference honoree, Kirkaldy was named to the California High Performance Team as part of the USFHA EPTC National Championships in 2006. During the tournament, she led all players in saves, notching at least ten per game. Kirkaldy started her association with the USA National Teams program in 1998 as a member of the U-16 team; she was invited to A-Camp in 2001.

“The coaches are trying to assemble the best goalies in the country to build depth in the position as the team prepares to qualify this July for the Olympics,” said Virginia head coach Michele Madison. “Amy Tran is hands down the best goalkeeper with the most experience. Christina will have to show the skill improvements she made since the last camp. Christina has all the tools, especially a strong mentality, and just needs to be tested internationally. She will have that opportunity this month.”