This Tuesday night, once again, highlighted one of the year’s most exciting moments; the announcing of the 2010 NCAA bracket. It does not compare to the popularity of the March Madness bracket, but to hockey fans across the continental USA, it is a special evening.
In our sport, the NCAA only allows twelve teams to enter the post season tournament. This makes it extremely difficult for many DI programs to earn that special place on the list. So, it is inevitable that many friends and colleagues will end their season on that very night. But, for others, it is the moment that the fun begins.
Many critics and fans believe that this year is going to be an exciting NCAA tournament, with some unpredicted upsets. I would have to agree. After watching many games over last few weeks, I do not think one team is far superior then the rest of the pack. I know that my Maryland alumni family and current UVA circle would probably beg to differ, but that is my prediction. All I know for sure is that I am anxious to watch the action unfold. I will be in the Charlottesville bleachers on Saturday, on a flight to San Diego on Sunday (following the games from tweeter), and back in my old College Park stomping grounds for the Final Four. I encourage you to tune in and watch as the drama unfolds.
I am headed to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA on Sunday. It will be a reunion with my teammates, as we have been on break since August. I look forward to seeing everyone out west and will blog again with updates from the training camp.
Until then……
With over a year of absent writing, I am unsure how to bring everyone up to speed on my hectic life. Besides a busy hockey schedule, I have gotten married and gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. With my new efforts to keep everyone abreast of my whereabouts, I have gotten back to my blog.
In recent months, a friend and teammate wrote a story featuring my family and I would like to share it with you. I think this is the best way to update you. I plan to do a much better job in keeping you informed….because life has been nothing but exciting and I look forward to sharing!
Thanks to Rachel Dawson for her kind words in the following story!
United States Olympian, Current National Team Member, and Mom, Keli Puzo is revolutionizing the image of the American Hockey Athlete
Eighteen years from now, Xavi Puzo like many American teenagers will head off to college. He will be a handsome, bilingual young man embarking on his college journey with a fire in his eyes – a fire that is born of his roots, Pennsylvania and Barcelona, and bred of his modernly iconic and vibrant parents, Keli Smith and Inako Puzo.
And if the oracles have their way, the fire in his eyes will set ablaze the teenaged promise land of dorm rooms, late night ‘study’ sessions, cafeteria food, and freedom.
The oracles know, because they, like many in the USA Field Hockey community, have witnessed the very same force of fire in the eyes of Keli Puzo as she has set ablaze the traditional image of an ‘American Field Hockey Player’ and redefined it.
Mother. Wife. Athlete. Determined, Competitor. Who is Keli Puzo?
Before matches, she straightens her blond hair, and accents her do with a pair of silver earrings. Entering the match field before competition, Brine stick and shinnies in hand, her gait is casual, not a blasé casual, but a confident, empowered casual. She wears a smile on her face. And as her earrings accent her hair, the determination of her smile accents the ferocity of her eyes.
Her guise – hair, earrings, smile and gait, don’t fool you – because one look in her eyes and you know – Keli Puzo is the ultimate competitor. She wants to win.
It is her fearless desire to succeed that has propelled her hockey career from the fields of Selingsgrove, Pa to the turf of the University of Maryland, and to the hockey pitches of Barcelona, Spain. Her relentless determination has morphed her into one of the premier leaders and strikers on the American team.
On the field, Keli’s striker role is twofold – one could view them simply as attacking and defensive roles – but a true competitor, like Keli, views her roles purposefully. On the attack, her purpose is to eliminate the opposition. And on defense, her aim is to get the ball back.
In both roles, Keli finds pleasure bringing confusion, chaos and absolute misery to the opposition’s backfield. When in possession of the ball, Keli uses her dynamic change of speed and direction to get in behind defenders. She is a powerful goal scorer who positions herself properly, low and strong, in front of the cage prepared to win any ball in whichever manner the situation necessitates – she will body-up, quick-step, or dive to hear the clang of the ball against the boards.
And when her team doesn’t succeed in hearing that celebrated noise, and instead loses possession, Keli defends relentlessly with one purpose in mind whether in a tackle-back, a double-team, a recovery run, or on the press – win the ball back. And funny enough, she usually succeeds. Keli’s style of play emanates her passion for the sport of hockey. She fights brilliantly because she simply loves the game. And Keli plays hockey the same way she lives – with a resilient passion to succeed and to enjoy life.
So it should be no surprise that she and her husband, Inako Puzo, joined their passion for hockey with the celebration of their marriage hosting a 2 v. 2 World Cup playing exhibition for their guests. The event, might I say, was a thrilling, sport-socializing success.
But that sort of thing is what you have come to expect from Keli Puzo. She takes an idea and makes something of it.
So in the iconic fashion of a revolutionary – Keli Puzo made something new of the traditional image of an American hockey player in May when she made her comeback to the ranks of the Red, White and Blue in a test series against Argentina at American University only a few months after having a son.
Young Xavi Puzo joined his mom and her teammates on tour in the American University dorms, because new priorities and responsibilities didn’t mean, as some may suppose, that Keli had to let go of her competitive passion and talent for the sport of hockey.
Instead, Keli has heroically redefined the image of an American Hockey Player, balancing her new family roles with a role she has played her entire life – athlete.
So eighteen years from now, as Keli hugs her son and sets him off upon his college journey, she will tearfully chuckle at a distant memory – Xavi has already experienced and survived dorm-life – in May 2010 at American University while his Mom made her comeback to international hockey competition.
I write to you out of sadness today because at this very moment, I expected to be playing in our final semi-final game. A win today, would have qualified us for the finals and extended the season two more weeks. The unfortunate truth is that we were a little unlucky in yesterday’s game and after a series of strokes, the scoreboard indicated that Junior FC won by one goal. It’s always hard to lose, especially in stokes, but when it puts an end to a year spent with a group of people, it’s even more disappointing.
After the game, the team stayed at the club and enjoyed a very long lunch together. We sat for 3 hours and talked, knowing that when Tuesday rolls around, we will not get to see each other. It was nice, especially because the restaurant overlooked the Polo field and the club was playing a very important match that day. Polo is a pretty boring game if you don’t know all the rules. But, watching the horses run is a beautiful sight. Additionally, it’s always fun to watch the parents bring their kids all dressed up in their ‘Sunday’s best.” They could not be more adorable. People watching is quite an event sometimes. You never know who you might see!
I am now sitting on the couch enjoying a nice cup of coffee. It’s nice to have a day off to relax and reflect. As disappointed as I am about the lose, I am looking forward to having an exciting and adventurous last few weeks in Spain. My parents will arrive on Wednesday and you can guarantee it will be a busy week. I can’t wait! I also have plans to run around Barcelona with Rachel and Sarah Dawson, who are coming into town for a few days. And, my last adventure will be to fly up to Germany for a few days. I have a very good friend from Heidelberg that I must see before I depart Europe for the summer.
After arriving back in the states, hockey is going to consume my days. We have the National Championships in Virginia Beach in June and then it’s off to host Field Hockey Life summer camps. We still have many slots available for all the camps, so don’t hesitate and send in your registration.
Time to get outside and enjoy this wonderful weather! “Hola” to all in the states and Happy Mother’s Day to everyone!
Best,
Keli #13