April 28, 2008
USA Field Hockey Olympic Qualifying Coverage
KAZAN, Russia -
California head coach Shellie Onstead, who was a contender for the 1988 Olympic Games as a player, will head to the 2008 Summer Olympics as an assistant coach with the U.S. national team, after the United States won its World Hockey Olympic Qualifying tournament in Russia on April 27. The United States defeated Belgium, 3-1, in the tournament final to claim one of 12 spots in Beijing.
The United States finished as the only unbeaten team in the qualifying tournament, with a 6-0 record (5-0 in group play). It beat Belgium twice, including a 3-2 victory in its tournament opener. The last time the U.S. women competed in the Olympic field hockey tournament was in 1996, when it qualified as the host country.
"I am overwhelmed," said Onstead, who is an assistant to U.S. head coach Lee Bodimeade. "There is certainly a personal piece to this, but I'm overwhelmed more for the players and the accomplishment of the entire program. I am proud to be a small part of it. Dreams do come true."
Onstead's participation in the Olympic field hockey tournament, which runs Aug. 10-23, means that she will miss the bulk of preseason training with the Golden Bears this summer but will return for the first game of the 2008 fall season. Cal assistant coaches Niall Murphy and Kelly Knapp and volunteer assistant coach Peter Milkovich will handle the program in Onstead's absence.
"Cal will be in good hands with Niall, Kelly and Peter until I return," she said.
Onstead has served as an assistant coach with the U.S. men's national team and as a head coach and assistant coach with various U.S. men's youth national teams the last few years; this is her first stint as a coach with the U.S. women's program.
The Bears compiled a 12-6 overall record (5-1 NorPac Conference), won the NorPac regular-season title and reached the NorPac tournament final in 2007.
