Olympian Lepage Announces Retirement from USWNT

Kelee Lepage (Honey Brook, Pa.) has officially announced her retirement from the U.S. Women’s National Team following a six-year playing career at the senior level and 11 years within the women’s system. The 28-year-old Paris 2024 Olympian competed in 55 international matches for Team USA.

Growing up, Lepage’s parents encouraged her to play one sport each season, so she tried it all. But when she was introduced to field hockey, it was game over for everything else. Her journey began at a youth field hockey summer camp in third grade, where she picked up a stick for the first time. She remembers not wanting to go, but her mom insisted, reminding her that she had to try everything at least once. After a week at camp, her mom signed her up for the Twin Valley Youth Field Hockey fall league, and she never looked back.

Lepage attended Twin Valley High School where she led the team to three Berks County titles and the 2015 PIAA AA State title. During her high school campaign, she was named First Team All-Berks County (x3), First Team All-State (x3), Second Team All-American, Academic All-American and Berks County Player of the Year as a senior. During her senior fall, 2015, she was named to the U.S. U-19 Women’s National Team and toured in Belgium and Germany. She was also a member of the X-Calibur Hockey Club.

Lepage played collegiately at the University of Maryland (2016-2019), where she was a part of the team for two NCAA Runner-Up appearances, three Big Ten Regular Season titles and a Big Ten Championship. She was a Big Ten Preseason Honoree, named to the All-Big Ten Academic Team three times, garnered NFHCA All-Region Honors, named to the NFHCA Senior All-Star Game, and named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad all four years. During her junior spring, she played a semester abroad at Mannheimer HC in Germany.

While a sophomore in college, Lepage was named to the U-21 USWNT and went on tour to England in 2017 and to Argentina in 2018. Lepage was a member of the U.S. Women’s National Development Team in 2019 and went on tour to Holland. In January 2020, Lepage was named to the U.S. Women’s National Team, and played in her first cap on January 26 against Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Pro League. She competed in every edition of the League through the 2023-24 season and in various test series against nations such as Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Lepage was the provisional athlete at the 2023 Pan American Games, where the squad earned silver and a spot in an Olympic Qualification Tournament.

After years of hard work, Lepage found herself on the roster for the 2024 FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier in Ranchi, India. In the historic run, she helped the red, white and blue secure qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

In June 2024, Lepage was named to the U.S. Olympic Women’s National Team to represent the USA at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Like any athlete’s career, competing for Team USA is a huge achievement, but to Lepage it felt like an even bigger honor because of her family’s military roots.

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“Competing for Team USA was a dream come true!” said Lepage. “Coming from a family who has deep roots in the military, I felt the weight of the privilege and the honor it meant to represent our country. There is no greater sense of pride than singing the National Anthem with my teammates, and those moments will always be some of my most treasured memories.”

For Lepage, being named as one of the sixteen Olympians to represent USA in Paris was truly one of the highlights of her career. All of the moments—not just the good, but also the not-so glamorous—made it even more special.

“ the moments of faith and perseverance through roster selections that landed me as reserve or off the roster completely,” reflected Lepage. “Or earning my way back on to the pitch after several injuries that sidelined me for months at a time, or even difficult conversations with the team throughout the years.”

It’s the perseverance through moments like these that has defined Lepage’s career, allowing her to grow into a leader whose impact extends far beyond statistics. 

Lepage has an extensive list of individuals she would like to thank. “I want to thank my family. Truly, there are no right words to describe their support, encouragement, love, and dedication to showing up for me in the good times, and challenging times in my career. I could write a book's worth of gratitude.”

“I'm so thankful to my teammates, who make this chapter so difficult to close. It was a joy of a lifetime to be in the pursuit of our goals together. Thank you to the coaches throughout the early years that helped to shape my journey, who inspired and helped me achieve my Olympic dream - Brenda Hoffman, Missy Meharg, Katie and Marvin Bam. And to the coaching staff and support staff during my career with the National Team, thank you.”

“Also, I wanted to say thank you to my sweet friends who walked alongside me, encouraged me, and prayed for me.”

“Kelee has been a mainstay in this team since my arrival, being a delight to work with throughout, including the highs and lows, which of course included her for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” commented David Passmore, USWNT Head Coach. “She was always a role model for younger athletes joining the program with her performance behaviors and highly reflective nature being an example to all. Her athleticism and commitment to physical development ensured she was always in peak condition, and her quick hands made her a threat on the ball.”

“Kelee played in numerous positions during her time on the squad making her very versatile while also effective in various set piece positions. We wish Kelee well in the next chapter and know she will always stay close to the current group of athletes and staff.

Lepage is going to take some much deserved time to rest before stepping into her next chapter of life. She looks forward to spending time with her family and friends to celebrate life’s special milestones. In this time, she will also be working alongside a great team at the Charlotte Running Company.

USA Field Hockey would like to wish Kelee all the best in her future endeavors!

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