Pitch Session

Episode 28: Sweat-Free Olympic Commentary

Andrew and Kirstin are back home to discuss the knockout round of the Olympic tournament from the comforts of their air-conditioned homes.  They discuss today's men's semifinals which included one thrilling finish and one not-so-thrilling finish, and look at tomorrow's semifinals in the women's tournament.
 
Visit penn-monto.com for all of your field hockey ball and equipment needs! From developmental balls to elite Kookaburras, Penn Monto's got it all. Place your preseason order today!
 
 
 

Episode 27: From Allez to Adieu

Andrew and Kirstin wrap up their Paris experience on the same day pool play ends in the Olympic tournament.  They discuss the U.S. team's loss to Team GB on Thursday and their 1-0 win over South Africa to close things out on Saturday.  They also reflect on their Olympic journey and discuss the best of the first week.
 
Visit penn-monto.com for all of your field hockey ball and equipment needs! From developmental balls to elite Kookaburras, Penn Monto's got it all. Place your preseason order today!
 
 
 

Paris 2024: The Hockey is Haute

The temperatures in Paris are scorching and Andrew and Kirstin's Olympic Experience is a delicate mixture of sports, sunscreen, sweat, and surprise.  They look at Team USA's 3-0 loss to Australia, preview tonight's must-win battle with GB, and have a look at their experience at the men's tournament, the tennis tournament at Roland Garros and a world-class time at volleyball.

Episode 25: Pitchin' in Paris

Andrew and Kirstin are live from the XXXIII Olympic Games in Paris and breakdown what they saw at today's 1-1 tie between the United States and Spain.  They briefly discuss Team USA's 4-1 loss to Argentina on Saturday, look ahead to Wednesday's matchup with Australia, and take a look around the rest of the tournament.
 
 

Episode 24: The Final Countdown

On the final show before Andrew and Kirstin head to Paris for the Olympic Games, California head coach Shellie Onstead joins the show.  In addition to having just completed her 30th season at the helm of the Golden Bears, Shellie was an assistant on the staff of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team that finished 8th in the Beijing Olympics, and she is a member of the California Hall of Fame for her playing career at Cal.
 
They discuss her 2008 Olympic experience and what members of the team and staff are likely experiencing now as they prep to open Olympic play against Argentina on Saturday.  In the second half of their discussion, they reminisce about Cal's time in the America East and what's changing for the Golden Bears as they debut in the ACC this fall.
 
Andrew and Kirstin then make their picks for gold in Paris.  Spoiler:  Both think it'll be an orange-tinted gold.
 
Visit penn-monto.com for all of your field hockey ball and equipment needs! From developmental balls to elite Kookaburras, Penn Monto's got it all. Place your preseason order today!
 
 
 
 
 

Episode 23: One Week to Go

With one week left until the Olympic Games in Paris, Andrew and Kirstin take a look at the men's tournament, make their predictions for the men's gold medal and look ahead to their trip to Paris.

Episode 21: The Olympics are Near

Andrew and Kirstin get in the Olympic Spirit by chatting with Team USA forward Phia Gladieux a few days before she and the team depart for Europe.  They discuss where Phia was when she got the call -- well, text -- about joining the Olympic Team, and how she and her teammates are preparing for the Olympic tournament to begin on July 27.
 
They also discuss their upcoming trip to Paris, have a look around Pool A of the women's tournament and look at the betting odds for both the men's and women's gold medal favorites.

Episode 21: Olympic Preview Preview

Andrew and Kirstin are back from their spring hiatus to preview their previews for the field hockey tournament in the upcoming Olympics Games.  They discuss their plans for Paris, look at Team USA's roster, and have a first look at their schedule in Pool B of the Olympic tournament.

Pitch Session Episode 20: Olympic Focus

Andrew and Kirstin begin this episode with a look at some conference changes that will effect field hockey, including UMass moving to the MAC.  Then Kirstin is joined by USA women's national team head coach David Passmore and the two discuss qualifying for the Olympics in India, preparations for this summer's Olympics, what David would choose to compete in the normal person Olympics, and more.

Pitch Session Episode 19: The Olympic Experience

Andrew and Kirstin are joined today by a pair of two-time Olympians, Yale Head Coach Melissa Gonzalez and Temple Head Coach Michelle Vittese.  The two share their experiences in the run-up to both the 2012 London Games and the 2016 Rio Games, what they remember from their time during the Olympics, and how their Olympic runs affect their current head coaching roles.  They also share what it is like finding out that they made the Olympic roster, the feeling when their Olympic careers ended in a quarterfinal loss to Germany in 2016 and begin to prepare as their two teams face each other in October in New Haven.