The University of Louisville’s Nicole Woods has been named to USA Field Hockey’s national team roster for the FIH Hockey World League Semifinals which will be held July 8-23 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Woods, a rising senior from Beverly, Mass., was selected to the squad following her performance in the Citi USWNT vs. Ireland Series. The forward/midfielder was selected to the USWNT roster for the series against Ireland in May after serving as member of USA Field Hockey’s Under 21 team since 2016.
Woods finished her junior season at Louisville with five goals and 10 assists while earning all-ACC honors for the second straight season.
About the FIH Hockey World League Semifinals
A 2018 World Cup qualifier, the FIH Hockey World League Semifinals is divided into two pools made up of five teams. FIH Hero World Ranked No. 6 Team USA sits in Pool B with reigning Hockey Champions Trophy and Hockey World League champions, No. 3 Argentina, along with No. 12 India, No. 13 South Africa and No. 20 Chile. The USWNT is set to play Chile in their first pool game on Saturday, July 8 at 10 a.m. EST.
The Hockey World League structure is a newer concept which allows more nations a chance to qualify for the Olympic Games. Teams that have made it through Hockey World League Round 1 and Round 2, move on to compete in the Semifinals. Ten teams take part in the Semifinals, which are comprised of the host plus five teams who qualify based on their FIH Hero World Ranking. The remaining four teams qualified through Round 2. Team USA received an automatic bid to this year’s event because of their world ranking.
Following the Semifinals, the USWNT will have 12 days to prepare for the women’s Pan American Cup held at the Home of Hockey located at Spooky Nook Sports, in Lancaster, Pa. from August 4-13, 2017.
Lori Korte
Assistant Sports Information Director
University of Louisville Athletics