Boston College Athletics
Dedman Named To US Champions Challenge Team
January 25, 2002 | Field Hockey
Jan. 25, 2002
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Two-time BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year Jill Dedman was recently named to the U.S. women's field hockey team that will compete in the inaugural Champions Challenge, February 9-17 in Randburg, South Africa.
The U.S. will join England, India, Korea, Russia and host South Africa in the event that features six of the world's top rated teams. The tournament will also serve as a gauge for head coach Tracey Belbin in preparing the team for a World Cup qualifying series and possibly a spot in the 2002 World Cup.
"Being part of the first women's Champions Challenge is a great opportunity for the US," said Belbin. "We are looking forward to returning to international play, especially in a tournament setting."
The event marks the team's first international competition since an East Coast series with South Africa last fall. The U.S. went 0-3-1 on the four-game tour.
"Our aim is to make the top three at this tournament," said Belbin. "It is also another building block in our lead up to a World Cup Qualifying test series, or the World Cup. Again we have different personnel that we need to test at the international level. Additionally, we need to find the best combinations for us to be successful."
Belbin's 17-member team for the Champions Challenge is a combination of the US residency squad, national squad members currently completing their college degrees and some recently acquired additions.
While at Boston College, Dedman collected 36 wins and 18 shutouts. She capped her career with a school-record 1.39 goals against average and 628 total saves. She was a third team NFHCA All-American in 1999.
For complete results from the Champions Challenge and for other information on the United States National Team, please see www.usfha.org
