COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Northern Lebanon High School graduate Amy (Tran) Swensen, a two-time Olympic field hockey player, announced her retirement from the U.S. Women's National Field Hockey Team, Team USA announced.
Swensen was once recognized as the No. 1 goalkeeper in the world, earning the 2006 Samsung World Cup Best Goalkeeper award.
"My playing career has been such an amazing experience and I am so proud to have represented my country on the field for the last ten years," said Swensen in a statement. "The best moments for me have been the 2006 World Cup, qualifying for the Beijing Olympics, and going to both the Beijing and London Olympics. The Olympic Games is the ultimate test of athletic competition and excellence and I am so honored to have participated in two Games."
Swensen's career with the National Team began in 2001; competing in a Team USA uniform for over a decade and representing her country in 163 international competitions.
Swensen, 32, said her age, family and career were all considered when making the decision to retire.
"Since the Olympics, I have enjoyed being back in Norfolk with my husband. It has not been easy to be away from him to train with the team for the past few years. He has been an amazing supporter during my playing career, but it is a big sacrifice for both of us if I continue to play. I would not have changed a thing about my career, but I am happy to be moving on to the next stage of my life with my husband," said Swensen.
She has two silver medals from the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and led the U.S. to a first place finish at the Olympic Qualifier in Kazan, Russia with three shutout victories to secure a spot at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
"We've been lucky to have such a talented veteran in our backfield and knowing Amy is behind us gives us that extra feeling of confidence," said captain Lauren Crandall in a statement. "Our team is all about making a career out of wearing the jersey. We celebrate when a field player reaches 100 caps because we consider that a milestone in an athlete's career. A goalie's journey is much tougher than a field player and most goalies are on the team for a few years before they even reach ten games. For Amy to have over 160 caps for her country and achieve honors such as best goalkeeper in the world is an outstanding career and one that we will hold in the highest regard as her teammates and friends."
After the U.S. failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, Swensen put her goalkeeping equipment aside to pursue a different dream, a career in massage therapy. She also married her longtime boyfriend Mark Swensen, according to Team USA. She has been a member of the coaching staff at both Lafayette and Old Dominion University
Swensen rejoined her teammates at the 2011 Women's National Championship and immediately put herself in contention for the starting spot in goal once again. She missed out on competing in her third Pan American Games after suffering a knee injury during a practice session leading up to the Olympic qualification tournament.
But Swensen proved resilient making a 100 percent recovery in time for the London Olympic Games.
"There is no doubt that Amy's presence will be greatly missed both on and off the field," said Steve Locke, Executive Director, USA Field Hockey. "I would like to congratulate her on an outstanding career and wish her every bit of success in all her future endeavors."
Information used in this story was provided by Team USA.
