US women oust Germany from field hockey World Cup

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) The U.S. women maintained their strong run at the field hockey World Cup, ousting Germany from the tournament with a 4-1 victory Sunday.

Kathleen Sharkey scored twice for the Americans, who lead Group B with 10 points and are all but certain of their first trip to the semifinals in 20 years.

Sharkey beat German goalie Kim Platten in the 33rd minute with a shot that bounced in off the right post. She then poached a pass from a German defender and struck in the 52nd minute. Between Sharkey's goals, Caroline Nichols and Katie Reinprecht scored. Germany's Kristina Hillmann had a goal in the 60th minute.

U.S. captain Lauren Crandall says the team is deeper since its 12th-place finish at the London Olympics. She says there is ''fresh energy coming in'' and ''some younger girls coming up.''

In other women's matches in Group B, Argentina beat England 2-1 and China defeated South Africa 4-3.

In the men's competition, Andy Hayward had a hat trick for New Zealand, but Germany won 5-3 in Group B. The Netherlands, the Group B leader, routed South Africa 7-1 to take a semifinal spot. Argentina beat South Korea 5-0 and needs only one point from its final match against South Africa on Tuesday to advance.