Olympian Hammel Retires from U.S. Women’s National Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – After six years, Olympian and prominent U.S. Women’s National Team defender, Ally Hammel (Duxbury, Mass.), has officially announced her retirement. The 28-year-old competed in 80 international matches for Team USA.

The Duxbury, Mass. native started playing field hockey in the 7th grade when her mother, who played collegiately at the University of Connecticut, started a club in the South Shore area of Massachusetts. Hammel played other sports growing up, including soccer, lacrosse, and ice hockey, and found field hockey was the perfect cross between soccer and ice hockey. From when she was first introduced, she enjoyed playing and was always excited to show up to training.

Hammel attended Duxbury High School and Loomis Chaffee School, where she earned Patriot League All-Star honors in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and helped the team claim three league titles. She was a 2013 Boston Herald and Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic selection and named to the 2014 NFHCA All-American Third Team. She played for HTC Field Hockey club team.

In 2013, Hammel got involved in the Olympic Development Pathway when she first joined Futures (now Nexus).

Hammel played collegiately at Boston University (2015-2018), where she was the first player in program history to be a two-time NFHCA First Team All-American (2017, 2018), in addition to winning back-to-back NFHCA Northeast Region Player of the Year (2017, 2018) and Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year (2017, 2018). She was a unanimous selection to the All Patriot League First Team (2017, 2018), named the 2018 Patriot League Championship Most Outstanding Player, and named to the All-Tournament Team (2017, 2018).

From 2016 to 2019, Hammel participated in High Performance Centers in the north region and was selected to the U-21 or Development Junior National Camps and Young Women’s National Championship all four years. In 2018 and 2019, she was named to the U.S. Women’s National Development Team and went on a tour to Chile and Holland.

In May 2019, Hammel was named to the senior U.S. Women’s National Team and on February 7, 2020, played in her first cap against Argentina in the FIH Hockey Pro League. She competed in three editions of the League through the 2023-24 season, only missing four of the team’s 48 matches. An integral part of the United Eagles defense, she was the squad that earned fourth at the 2022 Pan American Cup and was a key individual in the relocation of the USWNT to Charlotte, N.C.

Although often part of the attacking penalty corner unit, Hammel also recorded handful of defensive saves – especially in key moments. One of those came in the battle against Argentina in the 2023 Pan American Games final, where the close 1-2 contest earned them a silver medal and qualifier spot. The most notable was at the 2024 FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier against Japan in a must-win game with a spot to Paris 2024 on the line, when she had solid post play to help USA secure the 2-1 win.

In June 2024, Hammel was named to the U.S. Olympic Women’s National Team roster to represent USA at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Years of dedication and sacrifices paid off.

“Being part of Team USA is an experience that's tough to put into words,” commented Hammel. “Competing for the United States against the world's top players and teams was an incredible honor. The countless hours of unseen effort and the challenging moments that made us question our commitment and what it truly meant to dedicate ourselves to our shared goal were all worth it the moment we pulled on that jersey. While there were certainly some challenging times, the highs made every low worthwhile. There's truly nothing else like it!”

Hammel notes a handful of memorable highlights throughout her career. Among them are earning her first international cap against Argentina, and getting the opportunity to play against several former Boston University teammates, including Gunsom (NZL) in the FIH Hockey Pro League, Valentina Cerde Eimbcke (CHI) at the 2022 Pan American Cup and Sofi Laurito (ITA) at the 2024 FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier.

“I would have to say winning a silver medal at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, and knowing we had a great opportunity in front of us to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” added Hammel.

“Playing in an Olympic Qualifier in one of the most passionate hockey countries in the world (India) as well as hearing the final horn against Japan and realizing we did the unthinkable and qualified for the Paris – it’s unforgettable.”

For most athletes, being selected to represent their country on the Olympic stage is the pinnacle of sport. “Seeing my name on the selection roster to represent the United States of America at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as well as stepping foot on the pitch, singing the National Anthem and becoming an Olympian – it will forever be a moment ingrained in my career highlights.”

Hammel’s final international competition was helping USA to a fourth-place finish at the 2025 FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Santiago, Chile. She retires having competed in 80 international senior matches.

Hammel has an extensive list of those she would like to thank who have impacted her career. First off, she wants to express her heartfelt gratitude to her parents, Jenn and Dave, her fiancé Travis, her brothers Matt and Jon, and all her extended family and friends. She notes that their unwavering support is what was her anchor through the highs and low of professional sport.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the coaches who have shaped my journey. From my club field hockey coaches, Deb Brickey and Darren Smallhorn, to my high school mentors, Pam Manley and Terry Vandewater, each of you laid the foundation for my growth. At Boston University, Sally Starr, Tracey Paul, and Sarah Shute pushed my ability and guided me to be the best version of myself both on and off the pitch. My Development Squad coaches - Jun Kentwell, Mark Atherton, Marc Hardy, and Roz Ellis - provided invaluable guidance and support at pivotal moments in my career.”

Hammel added, she would like to thank Longstreth Sporting Goods and Grays Hockey for sponsoring her throughout her time on the USWNT.

“I am deeply grateful to the coaches and support staff who have been integral to my journey with the U.S. Women’s National Team. A special thank you to Janneke Schopman who believed in my ability and gave me the opportunity to join the senior team. To David Williamson, Anthony Farry, Greg Drake, David Passmore, Javi Telechea, Tracey Fuchs, Maddie Hinch and Bert Remmerswaal - your guidance, encouragement, and belief in me have been invaluable. Each of you has played a significant role in my development, and you all hold a very special place in my heart”

Finally, Hammel would like to thank all her Team USA teammates. She expressed that all have impacted her career – big and small – and that she is grateful for the experiences shared, lessons learned, and growth made together. She is excited to see the future of the USWNT and looks toward the continued fight to represent the United States.

“Ally has been a member of the squad and integral in our development over the past few years providing solidity to our defense through the Olympic qualification process and in Paris,” said David Passmore, USWNT Head Coach. “While pleased for Ally that she has made a decision she is happy with, she will be missed for her composure, calm head, and leadership in the Paris cycle having converted from a forward at college to a defender internationally. She led a young inexperienced group in New Zealand and Chile and has been integral in the young players settling into the squad and understanding our processes and tactics. On behalf of the whole team we wish Ally and her fiancé Travis the very best for their future.”

Hammel has a USA Field Hockey Level 1 Coaching Certification. She coached at HTC Field Hockey from 2012 through 2020 and has been Coaching Director, Recruiting Coordinator and Head Coach at DELTA Field Hockey since the summer of 2023.

She was recently named the assistant coach at Penn State University, and she, Travis, and their dog, Harper, will be making the move to Happy Valley.

“Stepping away from playing the sport you love is always difficult, but I feel very grateful to have the opportunity to further my field hockey knowledge and give back to the community that has given me so much!