Three members of the Yale field hockey team have been selected to attend USA Field Hockey’s U-21 Junior Women’s National Team Selection Camp. This prestigious camp will take place in January 2025, with the exact dates and location yet to be determined. The three Bulldogs who earned their spots at the camp competed at the Nexus Championships last month at USA Field Hockey’s Regional Training Center in Virginia Beach, Va. Nexus is a crucial part of USA Field Hockey’s Olympic Development Pathway Program and serves as a tryout process for the Junior U.S. National Teams.
One of the selected players, Caldero, has been a part of USA Field Hockey’s Nexus program for four consecutive years. In 2021, she achieved silver at the Nexus Championship and later earned bronze at the U16 Junior Olympics. Caldero, a standout player at Greenwich Academy, has received numerous accolades, including being named an NFHCA All-Region selection in 2022 and a Max Field Hockey Top 100 Player for the Class of 2024. She has been instrumental in her team’s success, helping them secure Fairchester Athletic Association titles in 2022 and 2023, as well as finishing first in Class A at the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Championship in 2022.
Another talented player, Chang, has also been selected for USA Field Hockey’s Nexus program for four consecutive years. In 2022, she was chosen for the U19 Stars and Stripes Elite game. Chang, who plays for St. John’s School, has earned first team All-America honors from the NFHCA and MAX Field Hockey. She was also recognized as a MAX Field Hockey Top 150 Player for the Class of 2024 and named the MAX Field Hockey Texas/Oklahoma Player of the Year in 2023. Chang’s contributions have been vital to her team’s success, leading them to victory in the Southwest Preparatory Conference Championships in 2022 and 2023.
Ramsey, the third Yale player selected for the U-21 Junior Women’s National Team Selection Camp, has also been a part of the Nexus program for the past four years. Ramsey has consistently showcased her talent, earning a spot at the U16 Junior Olympics in 2021. At Yale, Ramsey quickly became a key player in the team’s attack, appearing in all 16 games and starting 15. She received accolades such as second team All-Mideast Region and first team All-Ivy League. Ramsey, a graduate of Oak Knoll School, was also named a third team NFHCA All-American in 2021 and 2022.
This marks the second consecutive year that Yale has had players selected for the Nexus Championships. Last year, Emma Ramsey and Lily Ramsey were chosen for the Junior and Senior Nexus Championships, respectively. In addition to players, multiple Yale coaches are actively involved in the Nexus program. Melissa Gonzalez, Yale’s Caroline Ruth Thompson ’02 Head Coach of Field Hockey, coached at the U-18 Nexus Championship. Assistant coaches Kerry Kiddoo and Belle Bressler also contributed their expertise by coaching at the U-21 and U-16 Nexus Championships, respectively.
Overall, the selection of three Yale field hockey players for USA Field Hockey’s U-21 Junior Women’s National Team Selection Camp is a testament to the talent and dedication of these athletes. Their participation in such a prestigious event not only reflects their individual skills but also highlights the strong field hockey program at Yale University. The entire Yale community eagerly anticipates the success and growth of these players as they continue to excel in their field hockey careers.