WASHINGTON, DC - The USA Field Hockey Women's National Team fell to Argentina today, 5-3, in the second game of a five game test series at American University in Washington DC.

"I think it was a competitive game," said Assistant Coach Steve Jennings. "Argentina is ranked number two in the world, so it's a positive sign that we're in the thick of the game until the final minutes. I like the way we've jumped out to the lead in each game."

"I think it was a great fight, as always," said team captain Carrie Lingo. "But there were pockets of time where we didn't play well and they capitalized on those opportunities."

Michelle Kasold opened the scoring in the 18^th minute with a strike past Argentina goalkeeper Belen Succi.

"The center defender bobbled the ball, so I went for the tackle and got it," said Kasold. "I was already in the circle, and I looked up and it was just me and the goalkeeper, so I shot it."

Argentina responded with two quick penalty corner goals only minutes apart, both from Alexandra Gulla.

Keli Smith tied to game again just before halftime, scoring tip-in from the corner of the goal as a shot from Kayla Bashore went across the circle.

"It was a beautiful ball from Kayla," said Smith. "I happened to be in the right place at the right time. She put a great ball to the far post, and that's where I was."

Smith made her first international appearance for the National since the birth of her son, Xavi, in January.

"It was my first game back in a year and a half," said Smith. "It was great to be back. I have a ways to go fitness-wise, but it feels good to be out there."

Argentina scored two more penalty corner goals at the beginning of the send half to retake the lead, as Carla Rebecchi Rosario Luchetti scored for Las Leonas.

Rachel Dawson tied the game again with a penalty corner goal for the USA in the 60^th minute.

Argentina sealed the victory in the final minutes with another penalty corner goal, this time from Luciana Aymar. All five of Argentina's goals came from penalty corners. Despite today's results, the team has faith is the defense.   

"We were unlucky," said Jennings. "Argentina had three broken penalty corners that wound up as goals. They were very creative in those chaotic situations. It creates a different variable that's much more difficult to defend."

"I think Argentina got lucky a couple of times," said Lingo. "A couple slipped through."

 "We need to be tougher and get the rebounds out of the circle, because had a stick on all of those chances before they went it," said Jennings. "We were there, but we just didn't clear it."

"Our penalty corner defense is rock solid," said Lingo.

The second game of the five-game series is Saturday, May 15 at 2:00pm.

This is a unique opportunity to see two of the world's top field hockey nations in action live in person. The 2008 Olympic Games bronze medalists, Argentina's Las Leonas are ranked number two in the world in the ABNAMRO WorldHockey Team Rankings and are in training for the 2010 Women's World Cup in Rosario, Argentina. This series is the first international field hockey competition on the East Coast since October 2007, when the USA faced Japan at the University of Maryland.

Admission to all games is FREE.  U.S. National Team players will be available to sign autographs after the Saturday and Sunday games. 

Competition Schedule

For press inquires and player interviews, please contact Jeffrey Gamza, USA Field Hockey Director of Media & Communications at jgamza@usafieldhockey.com or 719-232-2060.

For more information on USA Field Hockey, visit www.usafieldhockey.com.