The U.S. ensured it wouldn’t finish winless in its women’s field hockey pool, defeating South Africa 1-0 Saturday.
Leah Crouse, a former Cox High, Duke and Maryland standout, started on defense and played 35 minutes for the Americans, closing her first Olympic appearance. She did not compile any statistics.
Former North Carolina player Meredith Sholder scored on a penalty corner in the 43rd minute for the Americans, who went 1-3-1 and didn’t qualify for the medal elimination bracket.
Sonnett, U.S. women reach soccer semifinals: UVA alumna Emily Sonnett and the United States advanced to the semifinals with a 1-0 victory against Japan. Trinity Rodman scored the game-winner in the first half of extra time, and Sonnett played the entire 120 minutes.
The U.S. will take on Germany at noon Tuesday.
Ex-UVA rower takes bronze with British team: Former Virginia rower Heidi Long and the Great Britain women’s eight claimed the bronze medal Saturday.
Long, who made her Olympic debut in Paris, and Great Britain finished in 5 minutes, 59.51 seconds to hold off Australia (6:00.73) for the bronze medal. Romania won gold with a time of 5:54.39, and Canada claimed silver at 5:58.84.
Long is the eighth former Cavalier rower — all in the 21st century — to earn an Olympic medal, joining three from Canada, two from the Netherlands and one apiece from the U.S. and New Zealand.
Long, from Buckinghamshire, England, was part of UVA’s ACC champion varsity eight from 2016-19.
