Donning the red, white, and blue, Amy Krompinger had an amazing field hockey experience in late July into early August. This Newtown resident/field hockey aficionado was part of Team USA's Over 35 team in the World Cup, held in Schiedam, a town in the Netherlands.

The team stayed in close-by Rotterdam and took in the culture and history of the area, as well as a sampling from that of close to 30 other countries participating in the tournament, in between taking on various countries in games. A win-win scenario regardless of outcome, but Krompinger's squad did quite well when all was said and done, finishing seventh among 17 teams in their age group.

"I'm pretty happy with my play and with what the team was able to accomplish," said Krompinger, a forward who was second on the US roster with two goals in seven games.

This was not the standout player's first international experience. In 2023 she traveled to Argentina for the Pan American Games and in 2024 went to Canada for the Can Am Games for an indoor tourney. A win over Scotland secured seventh among those 17 countries, an accomplishment Krompinger and her teammates will savor for years to come.

"It's the best experience of my life — it's hard to put into words," she said of playing overseas at the highest level for this age group.

Players from throughout the states attended a tryout and participated in team practices in Pennsylvania, the United States' field hockey hub. Then it was off to compete against the likes of Ireland, New Zealand, England, and others.

"Getting to wear USA across the chest is special. It's a pretty big honor," Krompinger said.

And the team's strong finish was a bonus. "We're pretty proud of that," she added.

There were Over 40, 45, 50, etcetera teams on up through an Over 65 lineup. "I hope I can do this for the rest of my life," Krompinger said.

It was quite a commitment for the players, many of whom left their families behind for a couple of weeks, and all of whom had to pay their way. A GoFundMe page assisted Krompinger's efforts and the standout athlete said she appreciated having the support that helped make this possible. Teams bring their own training staff, and are treated with ice baths or whatever is needed to prepare for or recover from the wear and tear on the playing surfaces. They played in front of hundreds of fans each game and had a blast putting their passion on display.

This Olympic-like event featured opening ceremonies for the 28 countries represented in several age divisions. During the two weeks, players from competing teams socialized between games. As competitive as the players are, there was a true sense of camaraderie off the playing surface. The US team members made friends with opponents, socialized, danced, ate, and watched games together.

"It's a really good time," Krompinger said. "You make so many new friends from around the world."

Krompinger is a big part of Newtown's world of field hockey. The Delaware native, who went on to play at University of Connecticut and is an assistant coach at Western Connecticut State University, runs AIM Athletes Field Hockey Club, which practices year-round in Newtown (visit aimathletes.com for information). Krompinger is also a volunteer with the USA Field Hockey High Performance department, the national governing body's arm dedicated to managing the US Men's and Women's National Teams.

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Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.