NOTTINGHAM, England – Ursinus Field Hockey Head Coach Janelle Benner along with two of her assistant coaches, Heather Long and Ashley Johnston, were selected to the United States Masters Field Hockey Team that will be competing in the 2022 World Masters Hockey (WMH) World Cup next month in England.

The trio earned spots on the U.S. 0-35 Women's World Cup Roster that consists of 17 women from 10 different states. The games will take place from August 12-21 in Nottingham, England.

"It is an absolute honor being named to represent the United States in the upcoming Masters World Cup," Benner said. "As a coach, it has been very rewarding staying involved with the game as a player, and I am looking forward to competing at such a high level alongside some amazing teammates including two members of my own staff here at Ursinus, Ashley and Heather."

To get ready for the games and set an official roster, the U.S. Over-35 and Over-40 Women's Masters Teams have been meeting monthly, starting with the Beach Bash tournament in Milford, Del. on April 30, and May 1 where the Over-35 team claimed first place in the tournament. Next, the teams played in the Shooting Stars Masters tournament in Northampton, Mass and have met for two training sessions right here at Ursinus College in June and July.

They are no strangers to these games as Benner was the head coach with Johnston alongside on the coaching staff as well for the U.S. Over-55 team for the 2018 World Cup held in Spain. That same year, Long competed for the first time on the Over-35 team in the World Cup. The trio were also named to the Over-35 team in 2020 before the games were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Benner will begin her 11th season as the head coach of the Bears in September and will look to build upon a 2021 season that saw them reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016 and the Centennial Conference Semifinals for the 18th-straight season. Johnston and Long will enter their 10th and 2nd seasons on the Bears coaching staff, respectively.

For more information on the World Cup please click here