DURHAM, N.C.— Duke senior
Leah Crouse is trading in her Duke Blue kit for the Red, White and Blue of Team USA for the next week as she looks to help lead the U.S. U-21/22 National Team to the 2021 FIH Junior Hockey World Cup this December.
Crouse is one of 18 players selected to the team after she went through an evaluation period with the JPAC Training Squad over the summer. The native of Virginia Beach was officially announced as part of the roster by head coach Tracey Paul and USA Field Hockey in July.
The United States, playing in Pool B with Chile and Trinidad & Tobago, opens play Sunday, Aug. 22 at 12 p.m., against Chile. Pool play wraps up Monday, Aug. 23 versus Trinidad & Tobago at noon.
The semifinals take place Aug. 26 with the winner from Pool B taking on the second-place finisher of Pool A and vice versa. The semifinal games are at 2 and 4 p.m. The championship game will take place Aug. 28 at 12 p.m., while the third-place game will be right before at 10 a.m. The top three teams advance to the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup.
At Duke, Crouse has been a steady presence for the Blue Devils, playing in 52 career games and earning All-ACC honors in 2019. This past year, she played in 10 games and missed much of the spring to injury. She has a nose for the goal, scoring 11 goals and 26 points overall in her junior campaign.
Crouse will don the No. 10 jersey for the United States. Fans can purchase an e-ticket to watch the game livestream on passline. Individual games are $5 for pool play and $7 for crossovers and medal matches. For $30 someone can watch all of the women's games. These fees do not count the additional service charge.
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