Oct. 3, 2012

DUBLIN - UMass field hockey assistant coach Shannon Taylor and former All-American goalkeeper Alesha Widdall helped propel Team USA Field Hockey to the top spot in pool play at the Champions Challenge in Dublin, Ireland, recently. Widdall and Taylor have been instrumental in the national side finishing introductory play in the tournament with back-to-back victories.

When facing Ireland in front of the country's home crowd with the top spot in Pool B at stake, Taylor notched a goal in the 48th minute of the contest to even the score at 1-1 as Team USA went on to score three unanswered goals for the deciding win.

Widdall completed a successful four-year collegiate career at UMass in 2011 and received her first cap with the national team during competition in Ireland at the Champions Challenge. Taylor is in her first season as an assistant coach with the Minutewomen after completing at the 2012 Olympic Games. Taylor has been involved with the national program since 2006 and has more than 70 caps with Team USA.

With the victory, Team USA secured placement in the Champions Challenge quarterfinals with a contest against Wales on Oct. 4 at 8 a.m. ET.