nacio Piatti. The midfielder scored his 10th goal in MLS play this sea

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Take a glance at the Olympic roster for the United States womens field hockey team, and youll notice a recurring theme -- 12 of the 25 players on the undefeated squad are from Pennsylvania.The states success in the sport goes back decades. Beth Anders, the leading overall womens scorer at the 1984 Olympics, is from Norristown. Ten of the 16 players on that bronze-medal winning team were from Pennsylvania.The Americans now seek their first medal since that run in Los Angeles. They play Britain on Saturday to determine which team will win Pool B. After that, theyll play in the quarterfinals.If the United States returns to the podium, the Keystone State will have played a major role. The top American standouts at this years games -- forward Katie Bam (Blue Bell) and goalie Jackie Briggs (Robesonia) -- are from there.To a large degree, its self-fulfilling, USA field hockey executive director Simon Hoskins said. The elite players become elite coaches in that area, and they help develop the next generation of athletes. Its been a virtuous cycle of ever-improving hockey, and now were at this level that -- we can compete with anyone. Were world-beaters right now, which is great to see.Other players on the roster from Pennsylvania are Ali Campbell (Gilbertsville), Lauren Crandall (Doylestown), Katelyn Falgowski (Landenberg), Kelsey Kolojejchick (Larksville), Alyssa Manley (Lititz), sisters Julia and Katie Reinprecht (Perkasie), Paige Selenski (Shavertown), Kathleen Sharkey (Moosic) and Jill Witmer (Lancaster). All are from the eastern third of the state.Pennsylvanias success prompted the national program to move its headquarters to Lancaster in 2013. U.S. coach Craig Parnham said the training site was moved from Chula Vista, California, so the players could train together and build camaraderie while being close to family and friends. The facility, about a 90-minute drive from Philadelphia, is appropriately named the Home of Hockey.Pennsylvania has the infrastructure to help young players develop -- Bam said she had a stick in her hands when she was 3 and began playing at 7. The Pennsylvania group grew up in the culture, which has only become stronger as it has blossomed together.I think the competition when youre growing up breeds it, Falgowski said. I think always playing at a high level against good competition -- a lot of us grew up playing against each other. I think 10, 20 years of doing that together really raises the bar, and the competitive spirit within us really wants to challenge each other and play as best we can.Pennsylvania is so heavily represented at the games, in part, because the sport hasnt caught on to the same degree beyond the east coast.That could change in the future. Hoskins said USA Field Hockey has grown from a 15,000-member organization to 25,000 in the past five years, with most of the growth in places such as Chicago, St. Louis and Houston and parts of California and Colorado.Our mission is to serve our members, grow the game and compete internationally, he said. By succeeding internationally, by performing in the Olympic Games, by exposing our beautiful sport to more people across America, we would love it to grow, and make it a great way to inspire young female and male athletes to play our game.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter (at)CliffBruntAP Sharks Jerseys China .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward James Neal on injured reserve Tuesday. Custom Sharks Jerseys . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.customsharksjersey.com/custom-evander-kane-jersey-large-73v.html . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. Sharks Jerseys China . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. Cheap Custom Sharks Jersey . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. Montreal faces one of its toughest road tests of the season without one of its most effective offensive weapons.Didier Drogba did not make the trip with the Impact to Utah for Saturdays match against Real Salt Lake. It will mark the second straight game he has been sidelined with a thigh injury. Drogba has been a big threat up top in 2016 for Montreal with five goals and five assists.Even without their star striker, the Impact will still have plenty of players who can test Reals defense. Chief among them is midfielder Ignacio Piatti. The midfielder scored his 10th goal in MLS play this season on a game-winning penalty kick in the 54th minute of a 3-2 victory over the New England Revolution last week.Piatti has the second-most goals in MLS this season, trailing only New York City FCs David Villa in the MLS Golden Boot standings.Salt Lake has its own dangerouss playmakers to counter Montreal.dddddddddddd Juan Manuel Martinez has scored four goals in his last six games and combined with fellow forwards Yura Movsisyan and Joao Plata for 17 goals and nine assists this season.The scoreboard could get a workout. Real and Montreal are two of three MLS clubs this season with three players who have at least five goals.RSL is one of six MLS clubs still unbeaten at home. If Salt Lake can claim three points against the Impact, veteran goalkeeper Nick Rimando will move into a first-place tie with Kevin Hartman for career MLS victories (180).Neither team has won or forced a draw on the road in the series. The all-time series is level at two wins each, with Real prevailing at home in 2012 and 2014. ' ' '