FENTON, Mo. --The RUSH under-19 field hockey team swept the 2015 Regional Club Championship tournament securing their automatic bid to nationals in July. This win marks a tremendous milestone for not just the club, but west coast field hockey who has never laid claim to the crown before.

Taking their game to Missouri June 6-7 , the San Diego based RUSH under-19 team defeated the No. 8 Aim field hockey club (4-0) in the finals to complete a six game sweep. The win also notched their fifth shutout of the tournament. As the top two finishers, RUSH and Aim bested eight other teams to automatically qualify for the National Club Championship held next month in Pennsylvania.

The regional win could add 45 points* to RUSH's national club ranking total in which they are currently ranked No. 13.

Unfortunately, RUSH will be unable to attend the National Club Championship due to logistical reasons, but are nonetheless excited about how they showcased.

Playing six games in two days, RUSH tallied 14 goals out-shooting their opponents in every half of every game. On the defense, RUSH allowed just one goal that came from a penalty stroke opportunity.

In the final showdown and their fourth game of the day,  RUSH's Megan Rodgers notched the first goal of the game and added the last. Gabi Jimenez and Kathryn Peterson each tacked on a goal to ensure the win.

Earlier in the day, RUSH defeated Windy City (3-1) in a semifinal shootout after RUSH dominated a majority of the game in regulation. RUSH's Nina Randolph, Jimenez and Rodgers each tallied a goal to complement RUSH goalkeeper Chelsea Bigelow, who came up with three saves.

In their first two games that day RUSH blanked each opponent with just one goal. RUSH defeated Pinnacle (1-0) with a Jimenez to Rodgers goal and walked away with the win against Milwaukee (1-0) with less than 20 seconds left in the game. Jimenez dribbled into the attacking 25 delivering a hit across the circle to Peyton Mowery. With a cross-cage deflection, the tipped ball found Rodgers, who knocked in the game winner.

 

On day one of the tournament, RUSH defeated Stealth (4-0) with three first half goals. Sisters Meghan and Katie Schneider each scored a goal with helper goals from Jimenez and Rodgers for their first win. Bigelow would make her tournament high of three saves on the game.  RUSH would go on to defeat FH Life (1-0) later that day with a late second half goal by Rodgers thanks to a Jimenez ball drilled from the top of the circle.

For more information, questions or comments contact: molly@rushfieldhockey.org