Netherlands Takes Gold at 2026 U-16 Junior Nexus Championship
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Action at the 2026 Junior Nexus Championship (NXC), presented by Osaka Hockey, continued over the past three days, finishing with Netherlands winning the U-16 Girls division.
The U-16 Girls division got started bright and early on Sunday morning with practices, and was followed by a full day of games. Day two kicked off with the goalkeeper session, and more action on the pitch. The third and final day was a short but intense one, with the bronze medal match between China and Wales taking place at 8:15 a.m. and the final right after between Belgium and the Netherlands.
The bronze medal match was tight, with a scoreless first half that was only broken early in the third quarter when Teagan Kelly (Downingtown, Pa.) on a penalty corner scored for China. Luciana Ierubino (Doylestown, Pa.) tied it up for Wales off a rebound not long after. In dramatic fashion, a penalty stroke was earned by Wales in the final minute of the match, and Raegan Welsh (Lansdale, Pa.) sent it into the back of the cage to propel her team to a bronze medal finish.
In the battle for gold, Lina Rae (Madison, N.J.) put Netherlands on the board early, but Belgium's Tatum Burstein (Cherry Hills Village, Colo.) found the equalizer in the final seconds of the first quarter. Netherlands took the lead once again to finish out the second frame, when an errant Belgium pass was taken advantage of and Lucy Fahr (Vienna, Va.) finished it in the circle. The 2-1 advantage would be all that Netherlands needed to come out on top.
In an added enhancement to the NXC experience, athletes could meet with Dr. Carly Ellman, a psychotherapist with over 17 years of clinical experience who specializes in supporting athletes and their families. Dr. Ellman offered sessions throughout the day, as well as a space to chat informally.
USA Field Hockey would like to thank all the athletes, coaches, selectors, umpires, umpire managers, Nexus staff, and volunteers who continue to make the U-16 Girls NXC a success. The 2026 Junior NXC will continue on Wednesday, July 15 with the U-18 Girls division.
Congratulations to this year's winners!
First Place: Netherlands
Coach: Noah Den Hartog
Teagan Cooper, Mary Denbow, Lucy Fahr, Jagger Graham, Madelyn Howard, Chloe Johnson, Lucie Lakin-Schultz, Vivianna Lee, Elizabeth Leith, Kennedy Marks, Danielle Medlenov, Maggie Murphy, Ella Neff, Lina Rae, Violet Soldan, Noemi Wullaert, Kinsley Fetrow, Hailey Riggleman
Second Place: Belgium
Coach: Megan Frazer
Brooke Bisaillon, Tatum Burstein, Lily de Freitas, Elliot Francis, Casey Krsulich, Louisa Maggard, Jane Morrison, Katherine Nolan, Blake Patton, Emily Reh, Madelyn Roecker, Maeve Ryder, Emma Shellenberger, Lindsey Sloan, Vanessa Volpe, Collins Wood, Mara Boullion, Sybille Krusi
Third Place: Wales
Coach: Rolf Van De Kerkof
Brielle Barnes, Sasha Barnett, Josie Barrer, Nicole Biner, Lauren Bruso, Maeve Butler, Gabriella Hendricks, Luciana Ierubino, Coraline Mann, Mia Masciangelo, Anna Matviyenko, Mina Mitby, Sona Swaminathan, Raegan Welsh, Kendal Williams, Vivienne Wong, Shannon Burgun, Caroline Paradis
Each year during the Nexus Championship, USA Field Hockey hosts a fundraising raffle that benefits the future of the field hockey community. All funds raised in the raffle help make field hockey more accessible and inclusive to all aspiring athletes in the player pathway who would otherwise be unable to participate without financial assistance. The financial assistance given each year allows more than a hundred athletes to participate in the Olympic Development Pathway.
The Nexus Championship team that sells the most combined raffle tickets receives a gift from presenting sponsor, Osaka Hockey, for the entire team.
Most Sold Raffle Tickets (Team): Spain
Coach: Ashton Odiorne
Most Sold Raffle Tickets (Individual): Anne Martin
Team: South Africa
Barbara Longstreth Sportsmanship Award: United States
Coach: Pattie Gillern
