Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Sports Xtra: Gordon Ready for 2022 Season After Inspiring Summer Experience with Team USA
8/24/2022 9:59:00 AM | Field Hockey
"Both times have been unique and it was great to experience a different culture and get to know girls from other countries. Getting to represent the United States was an incredible honor. It was just an awesome experience.”
Wake Forest field hockey junior Lee Ann Gordon had an unforgettable experience during the summer as part of the U-21 Field Hockey U.S. Women's National Team that took third place in the Uniphar 5-Nations Tournament in Dublin, Ireland.
The seventh-ranked United States team finished third in the competition, but also had a memorable experience squaring off against the Ukraine National Team.
"With everything going on over there, it was just awesome to get to know those girls," Gordon explained about playing against players whose home country is enduring a devastating Russian incursion. " As a symbol to show our support for them, our coaches had us bring some extra USA gear over for them. It was a really impactful moment for both sides and something I'll never forget.
"It was incredible to hear some of their stories. There was a language barrier, but to see their personalities shine just made it real. To see these young women representing their country with what they're going through was just amazing."
The conditions explained to the U.S. National team by the Ukraines were harrowing.
"A lot of them have family in the military," Gordon said. "They've been training in The Netherlands the last three months and hadn't really seen their families. It's been hard for them to be separated, but it was also cool that they were able to step away from everything that's going on and train."
The U.S. defeated Ukraine 4-0, but then met with them a couple of days later to bond away from the field.
"It was inspiring to see them competing and representing their country when they don't even know if their country will exist in a matter of time," Gordon said. "They talked about that. You could tell the strength in their personalities and their ability to persevere despite what they're experiencing. That's really inspiring to see and makes me feel really grateful to have the opportunity to represent my country as well."
It's the second time Gordon has enjoyed the opportunity to travel with the U.S. National team.
"I went to Germany in high school and now I was able to go to Ireland," she said. "Both times have been unique and it was great to experience a different culture and get to know girls from other countries. Getting to represent the United States was an incredible honor. It was just an awesome experience."
The Deacs begin regular season competition at 5 p.m. on Aug. 26 inside Kentner Stadium against Iowa as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. They host Michigan two days later live on ACC Network at 1 p.m. Gordon believes her summer experience has helped expand her game.
"It helps to see how the other countries play," she said. "Different coaches and countries have varying styles. Sometimes at the national level, we try to mimic those styles in practice. We get to learn different types of presses and outlets. Learning game tactics, watching film and becoming more knowledgeable is just really helpful."
She played left, center and right back during the competition in Ireland.
"We played against The Netherlands, who is ranked No. 1 and India, who is ranked No. 3, and then Ireland and Ukraine," Gordon said. "We expected the game against The Netherlands to be tough, but we played pretty well. We were close most of the game. Then against India, we were winning until the last quarter.
"It was great to close those gaps. Several of us were new on the roster and the coaches were happy with the team atmosphere we were able to foster. We competed well against them."
Gordon started all 17 games for the Demon Deacons last season, and was part of a defense that allowed two-or-less goals in 13 matches.
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