The Olympic outcome wasn’t what the United States Women’s National Team field hockey Coach Craig Parnham desired.
After spectacular pool play performances, the women’s team wasn’t able to advance to the final stage. Four wins, and one defeat, placed the US team in quarterfinals Monday against Germany.
Germany, able to score 2 goals early, secured their bid for a definite medal, despite the heart Team USA displayed. The Americans were able to land one goal, fighting all the way to the end.
The final game – USA 1, GER, 2 – brought with it controversial calls made by the officials.
But, no matter how you view the final, America not only fell in love with the game of field hockey this summer Olympics, but also the players and their message they spread.
Under Parnham’s leadership, the US women’s team climbed quickly to 5th in the world. The organization, familiar with humility, didn’t create a wave of enthusiasm for the sport in London 2012, as they did in Rio 2016. Parnham’s fresh, new and personal coaching style placed a dynamic US women’s team on the world map.
Hashtags used by the organization throughout their journey to Rio tell the story of their growth. To understand their grit, determination and exceptional belief in team, they spread their love of the game using #Un1ted and #ChasingtheDream.
