Virginia Trio Selected for USA Junior World Cup Team
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Three Virginia field hockey players – freshman Tara Puffenberger, sophomore Paige Selenski and sophomore Michelle Vittese – have been selected to represent the United States at the 2009 Junior World Cup, as announced Monday by USA Field Hockey. The event will be held Aug. 3-13 in Boston.
The 2009 Junior World Cup will be the largest international field hockey event to ever be held in the U.S. Sixteen national teams will compete in the event, including Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Chile, China, England, France, Germany, India, Lithuania, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain and the United States.
“It is quite simply a great accomplishment,” UVa head coach Michele Madison said. “All three of them have put in a lot of time and sweat. They play year-round to build their game. All have taken a different path to represent their country.”
The selections to the U.S. Junior World Cup Team were revealed by head coach Tracey Fuchs following the 2009 Junior National Training Combine at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., July 16-19.
Puffenberger, Selenski and Vittese each have a wealth of international experience. Most recently the three of them competed with the United States U-21 team’s tour to Australia in January, which included a fourth-place finish in the Youth Olympic Festival.
“The UVa style of hockey develops attacking players,” Madison continued. “It does not surprise me that Virginia’s front line could also suit up for the USA’s front line. Congratulations to Paige, Michelle and Puff; the UVa field hockey family is very proud of you.”
Puffenberger and Selenski were both members of the USA Under-21 Team that captured the gold medal at 2008 Junior Pan American Tournament and Under-21 World Cup Qualifier in Mexico City, Mexico last fall. Vittesse was named to the team but was unable to compete because of injury.
The USA opens the Junior World Cup in Pool D on Monday, Aug. 3 at 7:00 p.m. against Belarus, the fourth place finishers at the 2009 Euro Junior National Championships. The Americans will then faces Junior Oceania Cup champions Australia on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 7:15 p.m., and India, bronze medal winners from the Junior Asia Cup, on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Newcomer Inga Stockel will be the fourth Cavalier competing in the Junior World Cup. She will play for her native Germany.