In the first of two Olympic-themed Throwback Thursday stories, discover Vittese’s journey from roller hockey to Olympic field hockey player.
Cherry Hill native Michelle Vittese has already played a big part in the United States women’s field hockey team’s 2016 Summer Olympic tournament. Vittese scored one of the Americans’ two goals in a 2–1 win over Australia on Monday. After a win against Japan Wednesday evening, the United States is now 3–0 in the 2016 Olympic tournament and has clinched a spot in the knockout rounds of the tournament.
This is not Vittese’s first time participating in the Summer Olympics, however. Vittese is a seasoned national team player who was also a part of the U.S. women’s field hockey team at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England.
Just prior to the start of the 2012 games, The Cherry Hill Sun ran a profile of Vittese discussing what it felt like to be named to the Olympic team.
“It’s actually one of the greatest things that’s ever happened to me,” Vittese said in 2012. “Representing our country, I’m so proud and honored. It’s exciting to share it with best friends and people who have been supportive up to this point.”
Field hockey was not the first sport Vittese participated in. She originally played roller hockey at the age of 8 before switching to field hockey in middle school.
“My dad told me girls can’t go very far, and I’d have a better chance with field hockey,” Vittese said in 2012.
Vittese is a 2008 graduate of Camden Catholic High School, where she starred prior to attending the University of Virginia. At Virginia, Vittese was an All-American and helped lead her team to multiple NCAA tournament appearances.
Prior to appearing in the Olympics, Vittese helped the U.S. qualify. At the 2011 Pan-American Games, the United States defeated six-time champion Argentina to win the tournament and qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics. Vittese scored one of the American goals during the gold medal match of the tournament. After the U.S. qualified for the 2012 Olympics, Vittese opted to take a year off college to focus on playing with the U.S. National Team.
At the 2012 Olympics, Vittese played in all six games for the U.S. and recorded two shots on goal in a pool play game against Germany. She was unable to get on the scoresheet as the U.S. struggled in the tournament. However, Vittese would have a strong season in the fall when she returned to Virginia for her senior year. Vittese was named a National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-American, finishing the season with nine goals and seven assists. She finished her college careers with 26 assists, tied for 11th most in Virginia history. That year, Vittese was also selected as the U.S. Field Hockey National Player of the Year.
In the time since Vittese spoke with The Sun in 2012, she has had numerous accomplishments on the international stage. Vittese was part of the gold medal-winning American team at the 2014 Champions Challenge in Glasgow, Scotland. She also helped the U.S. defend its Pan American Games gold medal and qualify for the 2016 Olympics. Vittese had three goals in the 2015 Pan American Games, including the second U.S. goal in their 2–1 win over Argentina in the gold medal match.
Vittese and the United States have two pool play games remaining before the knockout round begins next Monday. The U.S. plays India this evening at 6:30 p.m. and then Great Britain on Saturday at 5 p.m. Thursday’s game will be televised on NBCSN and Saturday’s game can be seen on CNBC. Both games can be streamed online at nbcolympics.com
