U.S. and Germany U-21s Battle in Boston

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Four Cavalier field hockey players recently took part in a four-game series between the United States and German Under-21 national teams in preparation for the 2009 Junior World Cup, set for August in Boston.

Sophomores Paige Selenski and Michelle Vittese as well as incoming freshman Tara Puffenberger competed for the Red, White and Blue in the event, while fellow newcomer Inga Stockel played on the German team. She is a native of Mulheim, Germany, and has a year of eligibility under her belt after attending college in Barcelona last year.

“At one point during the Germany series, Michelle, Tara and Paige were all on the forward line at the same time and that got me excited for things to come,” said Virginia head coach Michele Madison. “Michelle and Inga were playing positionally against each other and they were joking with each other about it after the game.”

Germany took all four games against the young Americans, winning 4-0, 5-2, 2-0 and 4-0. Stockel scored Germany’s final goal in the 4-0 victory in game four.

“They will all make each other better playing against each other day in and day out at UVa, but for now they are so motivated to compete for a spot on the Under-21 team,” Madison continued.

The Junior World Cup is set for Aug. 3-13 at Jordan Field on the campus of Harvard University.