Made with Xara

The 1975 United States Touring Team Tour Report by Kathy Heinze UNITED STATES 8 - GREAT BRITAIN 6     This concluded a triumphant tour.  Thirteen matches played, thirteen won, and that has never happened before.  Both England and Great Britain beaten at home, again for the first time.  And by hitting eight yesterday, they outscored the British side that humiliated the Americans on their own grounds in 1960 - a small matter perhaps, but the one next to total victory, they held dearest....     The British, from first match to last, were dazed by the speed and dexterity of the visitors, but most of all they were destroyed by determination.  "We are good enough to win, but so are they.  We are going to win because we are determined that we shall." (Mike Werley, vice-captain).  So it looked from the first whistle, so it proved to the last. The Observer, October 27, 1975 First, I would like to say that the 1974 and 1975 Selection Committees should be congratulated for their choice of the 1975 Touring Team.  The fifteen players showed outstanding ability as lacrosse players and sportswomen; exceptional fortitude and good humor as U.S. ambassadors, and above all, they were themselves, that is, super people.  Their dedication and determination were, for many, hard to believe.  Their helpfulness and unselfishness contributed to a magnificent team effort.  My only regret is that the U.S. could not field fifteen players for every match.  This group has already made an outstanding contribution to lacrosse and I know that each one is ready and eager to give more. “They've struck terror into our hearts," observed Judy Herten, with much gusto and respect as the American women's touring team continued on their successful tour of this country, walloping all comers.  "The Americans are so good - quite the best touring team we have seen here.  They play a tremendous game of lacrosse." The Sunday Telegraph, September, 1975     This statement was made after the team had been in England just one week.  The 15-0 score vs. England Reserves was shattering to all.  The three mainstays of the England and Great Britain attack, Kath Howarth, Celia Brackenridge and Jane Martindale, were playing in the attack, and the best straight defense, Alison Saunders, was playing in the game.  The United States was magnificent:  how often does it happen that everyone on the team plays faultless lacrosse?  (Admittedly, our shooting percentage was not 100 per cent.)  Janice Rensimer put Celia Brackenridge in shackles form the first draw - a fantastic display of man to man defense.  Mike Werley scored in the first two minutes, just exactly as old ex-centers would have it.  Connie Lanzl had so many connecting passes in midfield that there seemed to be at least three third homes.  Barb Doran's shots were varied, tough and perfect.  Sally Wilson's saves of Celia's two eyeball-to-eyeball shots were classic U.S. goalkeeping and characterized the play of the 1975 United States Touring Team - skill, guts and determination.  The coach's worry was that we might have shot our wad all in one game.  What an act to follow, and admittedly it did come back to haunt us at times; there were frustrating moments when the perfect game seemed only a dream. The Americans have proved themselves highly professional and competitive. The Daily Telegraph     The match vs. the East was the second of a doubleheader - two forty minute matches played in a cold torrential rain.  Actually, it was a doubleheader for the U.S. as they played a full match against the West, while the East played a 15 minute warm-up because of the weather.  In this situation, the team's training and professionalism paid off.  We were down 0-3 and looking tired slow and disorganized.  We rotated the attack, went into a zone defense, for the first and only time on tour (in spite of B.J.'s efforts to fit us into boxes, diamonds, and one and two chasers, etc.), and caught up to 3-3 at the half.  We went back to our regular strategy and won 10-4, finishing very strong.  Apart from our 31-1 party, it was the only time our second half score was better than the first half.  The team did what had to be done.     A team which has, with charm and good humor, given Britain the mother and father of a good hiding. The Daily Express, October, 1975     We beat England.  It wasn't a good hiding, but we won.  This one came from guts and determination.  Actually, I think the England attack showed more skill and they played very well.  However, the U.S. attack was stubborn and determined.  The challenge of this history-making occasion was almost too much for a young team, but the hard work had been done before, the will was there and the team deserved to win.  We were a little lucky - no more than we deserved!  Sally Wilson played extremely well.  She was well supported by the defense.  This was their game.  The attack was hesitant  and lost the timing of their passing game, so they were forced to run the ball.  Far too many desperation shots were taken.  At the final whistle, there was not the outward jubilation one might have expected.  The team knew they had survived and that they could do it next time and would be more convincing.     Heinze's raiders add a new variety to a social sport - proving conclusively that women athletes can be both formidable and feminine. The Daily Mail, October, 1975     While they played tough, disciplined, professional lacrosse, the team had a lot of fun off the field as well.  Many people commented on the difference between the team on and off the field:  on the field, business; off the field, fun - all appreciative and friendly.  As I mentioned before, this team was able to be very relaxed and natural in both formal and informal situations because each individual was herself and gave of herself.  It is awfully hard to stand on ceremony while Janice (Rensimer) is being herself and Rosie Rip is holding the Sheriff of Nottingham up for yet another photograph.  I might add that the team's choice of captain, Connie Lanzl, and vice-captain, Mike Werley, was a good indication that the team knew what it was doing. Connie's leadership on and off the field, in speech and in song, was exemplary.  She is first class.  The United States and the game of lacrosse are indebted to her.  She aimed for the best, she gave it and she received it.  Mike was the emotional inspiration and the heart of the team.  Her thoughtful consideration and fairness, her tremendous effort on the field, and positive thinking, both her own and Skip's, were invaluable.  The two captains were ably supported by "Granny," Janet Smith, a selection committee member and the only member of the group to have toured before and who contributed so much to this tour.  Her efforts and determination in training, in practice, and during matches, were a constant reminder to us all of what we must do to be victorious.  Janet has been very close before - she knew it would take 110 per cent, she gave it and led the way.  Her two key interceptions in the last five minutes of the England match shouted loudly and clearly "If you win this time , it will be over my dead body!"  She gave her all.  We are more than appreciative; we are in her debt.  Janet and Kath Howarth were saluted by both teams on the field following the Great Britain match.  This was their last representative match and they were honored for their part in lacrosse.     The secret of the American success is the virtues which have characterized their play throughout their five week tour in which they have been unbeaten in twelve matches.  These are speed, fitness, accurate passing, close marking, and above all their determination to win and their conviction that they can do so. The Times, October 24, 1975     The comment above appeared in The Times following the South match. (The South are the reigning territorial champions with no less than eight international players among them.)  By this time, we had really hit the big time.  Upon our arrival by train from Scotland the previous day, we were greeted by the national press, Sports Illustrated, and our president, Jackie Pitts.  Four team members had just been on Scottish television.  Connie and I went directly from the station to Broadcasting House for a radio interview along with Penny Chambers, the South, England, and Great Britain captain.  We were all tired, with nerves a little frayed, and the pressure was on.     All the national daily papers were represented at the South and Great Britain matches and we socialized with many representatives from press, radio and TV at a luncheon at the Victoria Sporting Club on Friday.  The Great Britain match was filmed for television, to be aired November 22 in England.     The match vs. the South was played on a beautiful field at St. Paul's Girls' School on a gorgeous, hot autumn day.  The game featured what had become characteristic of the team:  quickness to score, direct passing; speed onto loose balls; possession of out-of-bounds balls; pressure and tackling back by the attacks; a gambling, aggressive defense in midfield; a helping, sweeping defense in front of the goal; aggressive and positive goalkeeping.  The score was 8-2 at the half, 12-4 at the end.  It was during this game that we had to make our only substitution.  Leigh Buck received a cut on her eyelid and Jane Diamond went in, showing speed and unselfish play in making some beautiful assists for goals.     The Great Britain match was indeed a super display of the intricacies and varieties of lacrosse: individualism and teamwork, strength, speed and finesse, tough individual match-ups and competitive national spirit.  Great Britain was determined nit to allow the United States to score quickly, but it was to no avail.  Following our by-now famous, or infamous cheer, the Touring Team was on the field and leading 3-0 before the opponents knew they were in the game.  The States were a goal up in two minutes, 3 up in twelve and led 5-2 at halftime.  The last three goals of the match were scored by Great Britain in a brilliant display of teamwork and individual effort.  It was too late.  It was good to see whom we had beaten.  They could and had played well, and the United States is now undisputedly Number One.  It is well deserved.  The challenge has been met.  There is and always will be a need for greater effort to maintain this position against future challenges.     There is no shame in losing to such a fast, fit, determined and supremely talented side such as the American girls. The Times, October 27, 1975     On tour, it was a strange phenomenon that people should be surprised by the determination, will to win, discipline, and professionalism exercised by the United States team.  What is representing one's country all about?  It is an honor and a responsibility.  A player is chosen because she is considered to be the best - this is the honor.  A player, having been chosen, makes every effort to be the best - this is the responsibility.  Pride is one of the driving forces; individual pride, team pride, and pride in one's country.  In this situation, there was no place for excuses or passing the buck.  Everyone had to contribute to the total effort.  Success is sweet, winning is a reward; but the ultimate is a realization of personal effort, of the team challenge met, and a feeling of national pride.  This is what the 1975 United States Touring Team was all about. HOME