The young USA Field Hockey women's national team gave new head coach Lee Bodimeade his first victory with the squad as the USA topped New Zealand 1-0 in the finale of their five-game series over the weekend.

Competing in their first international competition since April 2004, the new-look U.S. team went 1-4 in New Zealand on a tour that included matches in Wellington, Levin and Napier.

With a team that featured 11 members of New Zealand's sixth place 2004 Olympic team, New Zealand quickly jumped on the young U.S. squad in the series.

The host team team took the first four games 5-0, 2-0, 1-0 and 3-1 with a team that included 11 players off of New Zealand's Olympic squad.

With new coach Bodimeade at the helm, the U.S. team steadily improved in the series and was rewarded with a 1-0 win in the final game in Wellington. Veteran Carrie Lingo (Rehoboth Beach, Del.) connected on a field goal in the 17th minute and goalkeeper Amy Tran (Grantville, Pa.) withstood 22 shots on goal to give the USA the win. For her efforts, Tran was named the player of the series for the USA by the New Zealand media.

The USA and New Zealand will meet again in July when USA Field Hockey hosts the Rabobank Champions Challenge, July 8-16 in Virginia Beach.

A former Australian national team member and Olympic silver medalist, Bodimeade was named the U.S. women's coach in early April and joined the team for the first time in New Zealand.

In addition to Bodimeade, the series featured the U.S. senior national team debuts for eight U.S. players. The U.S. players earning their first international caps on the tour included Sarah Dawson (Berlin, N.J.), Kelly Doton (Greenfield, Mass.), Lauren Crandall (Doyelstown, Pa.), Claire Laubach (Bristow, Va.), Katie O'Donnell (Blue Bell, Pa.), Lauren Powley (Mountaintop, Pa.), Sara Silvetti (Wapwallopen, Pa.) and Barabara Weinberg (Louisville, Ky.).

The USA will return to international competition when the team hosts Australia from 4-11 June in Virginia Beach The series will continue the USA's preparations for the Rabobank Hockey Champions Challenge in July.

In addition to the USA and New Zealand, the Rabobank Hockey Champions Challenge will feature England, Japan, South Africa and Spain.

Series Results
1st Test
New Zealand 5 defeated USA 0

2nd Test
New Zealand 2 defeated USA 0

3rd Test
New Zealand 1 defeated USA 0

4th Test
New Zealand 3 defeated USA 1

5th Test
USA 1 defeated New Zealand 0

For match summaries, visit the Hockey New Zealand website.