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The Hague, Netherlands • The U.S. women maintained their strong run at the field hockey World Cup, ousting Germany from the tournament with a 4-1 victory Sunday.
Kathleen Sharkey scored twice for the Americans, who lead Group B with 10 points and are all but certain of their first trip to the semifinals in 20 years.
Sharkey beat German goalie Kim Platten in the 33rd minute with a shot that richocheted in off the right post. She then poached a pass from a German defender in the 52nd minute and slapped in the ball.
Between Sharkey's goals, Caroline Nichols and Katie Reinprecht scored. Germany's Kristina Hillmann had a goal in the 60th minute.
U.S. captain Lauren Crandall says the team is deeper since its 12th-place finish at the London Olympics. She says there is "fresh energy coming in" and "some younger girls coming up."
In the men's competition, Andy Hayward scored a hat trick for New Zealand, but Germany won 5-3 in a Group B match. Argentina beat South Korea 5-0 in the other men's group match and needs only one point from its final match against South Africa to gain the semifinals.