Scoring goals
around the globe

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

When Terry Dossick was a kid, she played street hockey outside her Northeast Philadelphia home.
Now that she’s an adult, she’s playing throughout the world.
"I played street hockey in our neighborhood all the time," said Dossick. "My brother and I would literally run home from school. I would throw down my schoolbooks, put skates on and go play."
Dossick’s love for the sport never faded. And now it’s scoring her an opportunity to see the globe.
The forward teamed up with the USA Ball Hockey team last year and has been defeating opponents around the world ever since.
"Ball hockey is very similar to ice hockey," said USA Ball Hockey general manager Jamie Cooke. "But the players run instead of skate. They play on cement or plastic instead of ice. And a ball is used instead of a puck."
The rules, penalties and rink sizes are typically the same in both sports.
"It is a very fast-paced sport," said Cooke. "There’s a lot of action, and I think that’s what makes it so fun to play and watch."
But from the players’ perspective, it’s not all fun and games in the rink.
"There’s a lot of endurance and strength training involved with the sport," said forward Dossick. "The amount of ground that needs to be covered on foot can be really challenging. When you have the ball, people are trying to knock you off your feet. So you got to be strong on the ball and keep your head up."
Although Dossick has been slapping her hockey stick on the streets of Philadelphia for more than three decades, the 38-year-old just became acquainted with organized ball hockey last year.
"A neighbor of mine had mentioned there was a team from New York looking for players," said Dossick. "I’m kind of a hockey head, so I said absolutely.
"I played in a tournament and there happened to be scouts there picking out people for a national team," she explained. "I was fortunate enough to be picked to try out, and that’s how things came into play."
The USA squad typically travels throughout the world, competing in various tournaments. This year, they sparred in Canada twice before attending the world championship in Germany earlier this month.
Teams from around the globe took part in the World Cup Championships in Ratingen, Germany, from June 9 through June 16.
"It had a similar setup to the Olympics — there was an opening and closing ceremony," recalled Dossick. "All of the teams’ flags were draped over the rink. It was almost surreal when you were standing there."
The USA crew started the global competition with a 3-0 loss to Canada. They quickly recovered by defeating Germany, 4-1. After two tied games — one against Slovakia, the other against the Czech Republic — and a victory over Australia, the USA team finished in fourth place with a 2-1-2 overall record.
"I was expecting to get beat up on pretty good," said Dossick. "I knew the commitment of our team was there, but the other teams have been playing together for years. And we’re new this year. But I think we played very well."
The two victories recorded by the American squad gave the players an experience they will never forget.
"When you won games, your national anthem was played," said Dossick. "And that was the best part of the whole experience. I can’t explain the pride that was felt at that moment. There weren’t many dry eyes. It was an emotional time."
That moment of bliss was a perfect finale to the USA team’s World Cup experience. However, their entrance wasn’t as momentous — the USA squad made quite a first impression.
"It was different," said Dossick. "We didn’t really know what to expect from the other teams. And as a country, I think we’re very loud people. So when our team got into groups — like eating dinner — we were loud because we were having fun. The rest of the restaurant was silent and would look at us."
On the rink, the collection of global teams demonstrated a mutual admiration for one another.
"The other teams were very respectful," said Dossick. "It’s amazing how people can come from so many different backgrounds and have one common bond. The international camaraderie among the people who played was incredible.
"I’ve experienced a lot of success in my athletic career. But I’ve experienced nothing like Germany," she added.
In addition to her love of street hockey, the versatile athlete enjoys playing on the softball diamond.
The 1987 Archbishop Ryan High School graduate led the Raiders to a Catholic League championship title during her senior year.
Dossick later attended Rider University, helping the Broncs win three consecutive East Coast Conference titles and Rider’s first ECAC championship. The team had a 113-55 record during her four years with the squad.
Dossick was the only Rider softball player to earn All-Conference honors in four consecutive seasons. She still holds the school’s record for career batting average (.373) and career runs batted in (115).
She was inducted into the school’s hall of fame in 1999.
These days, Dossick’s expertise helps her to coach Calvary, a local children’s softball team that her 7-year-old daughter, Emily, plays on.
"I’ve been playing sports my entire life," said Dossick. "But this exceeded all of my expectations. I never thought I would wear a jersey that has USA on it. It’s a big deal for me. It’s a dream come true." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com