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Crouse, Varney Selected to U-21 U.S. National Team
3/8/2022 10:58:00 AM | Field Hockey
DURHAM – Duke field hockey's Leah Crouse and Josie Varney have been selected to the United States U-21 Women's National Team for the upcoming 2021 FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup. Crouse and Varney are two of 20 athletes named to the roster.
Originally slated to take place in December in South Africa, the event is set to take place April 1-12 at North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Crouse was on the original roster for December, while Varney is a new addition.
"We're pleased with the balance and experience in this squad," commented head coach Tracey Paul. "Some players have been selected for the first time, which is very exciting for them, and I know they'll be determined to leave their mark. We're looking to perform with consistently high standards throughout the tournament and build on the experience gained at JPAC. As a group, we will set goals and focus on performing to the maximum of our capabilities. This is a very exciting time for USA Field Hockey!"
Crouse, a standout midfielder during her time with the Blue Devils, finished her career with 18 goals and 16 assists for 52 points. She was a 2019 All-ACC second-team pick and garnered NFHCA All-Region second-team honors this past season. Crouse ranks 39th in program history in career points as one of 41 Blue Devils to reach the 50-point mark. She excels in the classroom as well, garnering numerous academic awards during her career.
Varney, a junior midfielder, has been a mainstay in Duke's lineup during her career. She has started 44 of 52 games in her career and has a goal and two assists. A leader on the team, Varney started all 15 games last season and provided a steadying force in the midfield. She also will play a large role in penalty corners for the Blue Devils moving forward.
The Junior USWNT sits in Pool A with Canada, The Netherlands and Zimbabwe. They open up JWC play on Friday, April 1 against The Netherlands at 6:00 a.m. ET, and then face Zimbabwe on Saturday, April 2 at 6:00 a.m. ET and Canada on Monday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Placement games are set for Thursday, April 7, Quarterfinals on Friday, April 8, Semifinals on Sunday, April 10 and Finals on Tuesday, April 12. All matches of the Junior World Cup will be streamed live on Watch.Hockey.
The Junior USWNT will have a pre-tournament training camp from March 18 to 20 at Queens University in Charlotte, N.C. The squad will depart on March 26 to make the trip to Potchefstroom, South Africa.
For more information regarding the 2021 FIH Hockey Women's Junior World, visit the event page.
U-21 Women's National Team Roster
Gracyn Banks (Burlington, N.J.), Kayla Blas (North Tonawanda, N.Y.), Isabella Bressler (Leesport, Pa.), Margo Carlin (Drexel Hill, Pa.), Leah Crouse (Virginia Beach, Va.), Charlotte de Vries (Malvern, Pa.), Emma DeBerdine (Millersville, Pa.), Lindsay Dickinson (Glen Mills, Pa.), Katie Dixon (Cary, N.C.), Riley Donnelly (Doylestown, Pa.), Madison Kahn (Ocean City, N.J.), Alia Marshall (Rehoboth Beach, Del.), Kathryn Peterson (San Diego, Calif.), Caroline Ramsey (Morristown, N.J.), Hope Rose (Dauphin, Pa.), Ashley Sessa (Schwenksville, Pa.), Annabel Skubisz (Houston, Texas), Abigail Tamer (Whitmore Lake, Mich.), Josie Varney (Bethlehem, Pa.), Lauren Wadas (Annville, Pa.)
#GoDuke
Originally slated to take place in December in South Africa, the event is set to take place April 1-12 at North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Crouse was on the original roster for December, while Varney is a new addition.
"We're pleased with the balance and experience in this squad," commented head coach Tracey Paul. "Some players have been selected for the first time, which is very exciting for them, and I know they'll be determined to leave their mark. We're looking to perform with consistently high standards throughout the tournament and build on the experience gained at JPAC. As a group, we will set goals and focus on performing to the maximum of our capabilities. This is a very exciting time for USA Field Hockey!"
Crouse, a standout midfielder during her time with the Blue Devils, finished her career with 18 goals and 16 assists for 52 points. She was a 2019 All-ACC second-team pick and garnered NFHCA All-Region second-team honors this past season. Crouse ranks 39th in program history in career points as one of 41 Blue Devils to reach the 50-point mark. She excels in the classroom as well, garnering numerous academic awards during her career.
Varney, a junior midfielder, has been a mainstay in Duke's lineup during her career. She has started 44 of 52 games in her career and has a goal and two assists. A leader on the team, Varney started all 15 games last season and provided a steadying force in the midfield. She also will play a large role in penalty corners for the Blue Devils moving forward.
The Junior USWNT sits in Pool A with Canada, The Netherlands and Zimbabwe. They open up JWC play on Friday, April 1 against The Netherlands at 6:00 a.m. ET, and then face Zimbabwe on Saturday, April 2 at 6:00 a.m. ET and Canada on Monday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Placement games are set for Thursday, April 7, Quarterfinals on Friday, April 8, Semifinals on Sunday, April 10 and Finals on Tuesday, April 12. All matches of the Junior World Cup will be streamed live on Watch.Hockey.
The Junior USWNT will have a pre-tournament training camp from March 18 to 20 at Queens University in Charlotte, N.C. The squad will depart on March 26 to make the trip to Potchefstroom, South Africa.
For more information regarding the 2021 FIH Hockey Women's Junior World, visit the event page.
U-21 Women's National Team Roster
Gracyn Banks (Burlington, N.J.), Kayla Blas (North Tonawanda, N.Y.), Isabella Bressler (Leesport, Pa.), Margo Carlin (Drexel Hill, Pa.), Leah Crouse (Virginia Beach, Va.), Charlotte de Vries (Malvern, Pa.), Emma DeBerdine (Millersville, Pa.), Lindsay Dickinson (Glen Mills, Pa.), Katie Dixon (Cary, N.C.), Riley Donnelly (Doylestown, Pa.), Madison Kahn (Ocean City, N.J.), Alia Marshall (Rehoboth Beach, Del.), Kathryn Peterson (San Diego, Calif.), Caroline Ramsey (Morristown, N.J.), Hope Rose (Dauphin, Pa.), Ashley Sessa (Schwenksville, Pa.), Annabel Skubisz (Houston, Texas), Abigail Tamer (Whitmore Lake, Mich.), Josie Varney (Bethlehem, Pa.), Lauren Wadas (Annville, Pa.)
#GoDuke
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