PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania field hockey team will be represented by two Quakers at the 2021 Women's Junior World Cup in South Africa this December, as sophomore Allison Kuzyk was named to the travel roster over the weekend for Canada.
 
Kuzyk was a part of the Canadian tryouts for the U21 Junior Pan Am Championships, which were held in Chile in August.  
 
"After not making the travel team for the Pan Am Games in the summer, I was disappointed, but it motivated me to keep working towards representing Canada," said Kuzyk. "Being selected for the Junior World Cup is extremely exciting and shows me that the hard work I put in and my determination after not being selected paid off."
 
Kuzyk played in all 16 games in her first collegiate season this year, ranking third on the team in points with seven off three goals and an assist. Her first Quaker goal was in the season opener against No. 5 Louisville, while earning the game-winning finish against Drexel.

"Allison has been developing in our program for the past 12 months and transitioning to the college game beautifully," explained Penn Head Coach Colleen Fink. "She is a strong attacking player who knows how to finish and has dramatically improved in her defensive and pressing skills. Allison will be an impact player for Penn Field Hockey and this tournament will enhance her growth, confidence, and game play experience."
 
A British Columbia native, Kuzyk has spent time in the Canadian national system prior to her time with Penn. She helped Team British Columbia to a Canadian National Championship in 2017, she was selected to Team Canada U17 in 2019, and was also the top goal-scorer in U18 Division at Canadian Nationals.

"Since I started playing sports my goal was always to be able to represent my country on the world stage, so this opportunity means so much to me," continued Kuzyk.

"I'm so excited to go play the sport I love in a country I've never visited. Being able to explore the world while playing a sport I'm so passionate about is the epitome of awesome."
 
Team Canada won the Junior Pan Am Championships in August and qualified as the top team from the Pan Americas. They will open with Uruguay in the preliminary rounds.
 
Kuzyk will join teammate and senior captain Gracyn Banks in South Africa, as Banks will represent the United States after winning bronze at the Junior Pan Am Championships this summer.
 
The Junior World Cup will take place at the NWU Hockey Academy in South Africa from December 5-16.