Consistent Growth Becomes Success

Leah Crouse and the USA women’s field hockey team entered the 2024 Paris Olympics qualification round in Ranchi, India, ranked sixth out of eight attending national teams. The team would finish second, falling 2-0 to Germany, but booked its spot in the Olympics after the team had failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“I think all of us were so emotional cause for my whole team, it was our first Olympics,” Crouse said.

For Crouse, fulfilling her lifelong dream of making the Olympics allowed her to meet athletes she had always idolized, like Steph Curry, Katie Ledecky, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Breanna Stewart.

“It’s wild that at that level, we are essentially equal with them. You’re at the top of your sport,” she said. “So, it’s just crazy to even be in the same room as them.”

Crouse grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and attended Cox High School. She won two state titles during her freshman and junior seasons.

She believes growing up in Virginia Beach provided her with excellent opportunities to become a star athlete.

“Some of the coaches I had, I am still very close with. They really helped me grow not just my work ethic, but a real passion for the game,” Crouse said. “I was always encouraged to be outside and keep moving. The beach, parks, and everything... it just was an exceptional place to grow up.”

Crouse gained her first international playing experience in high school when she represented the U-17 United States team.

At the conclusion of her high school career, she attended Duke University to play field hockey.

“I visited a bunch of schools. Duke was definitely the one for me just because of the combination it had of academics and athletics,” Crouse said.

Crouse represented the United States again, this time while in college, at the U19 and U21 levels. As she gained experience gradually, some of her teammates outright made the senior team.

“I think having that slower progression over the years was really good for me and definitely helped me get accustomed to the level that I play now,” she said.

During the spring of the 2020-21 season, with COVID-19 at its height, Crouse broke her collarbone after falling on her shoulder.

Despite the hectic time, the injury allowed her to find more peace and balance in her life.

“It did give me a chance to slow down and focus more on myself as a human being, not just an athlete,” Crouse said.

Crouse finished her Duke career with 18 goals and 16 assists for 52 career points. She also earned an All-ACC second-team selection in 2019.

Her collegiate career continued for one graduate season at the University of Maryland.

She experienced the most team success she would in college during the 2022 season, when Maryland made the Final Four before falling to Northwestern University. Crouse finished with 10 goals and 5 assists for 25 total points.

She also had extra motivation during her time with the Terrapins.

“My Dad ran track at Maryland. It felt really cool to see him bring out his Maryland pride,” she said.

Crouse’s dad has been the biggest positive influence in her career. She said he has always encouraged her and been the biggest cheerleader, not just for her but for everyone on every team she has played on.

“He didn’t know anything about field hockey, but I think he could tell that I loved it and he just wanted me to go for it and do something I was passionate about,” she said.

Last Christmas, she returned the favor for all the support she received from her father.

“At the Olympics, we were given a coach's coin that we could give to anyone. I gave it to him, and he started bawling, and then I started bawling,” Crouse said. “It was this whole thing, but it was really cute.”

As for making the senior team and eventually the Olympics, Crouse heard about the opportunity late in 2021 and submitted her film late as well.

Fortunately, she still received an offer for a tryout at Villanova University, where she made the team. She has been on the national team since 2021 and has represented the United States at several world championship events.

The 2024 Paris Olympics remain her most cherished accomplishment despite the United States finishing ninth.

“I compare it to being a kid in a candy store. It’s like an athlete version of that,” Crouse said. “I think I’m still processing what it was like to step on the field... the ability to represent

America has been a big thing for me, but to be able to do it on a stage like that was unbelievable.”

Since her Olympic experience, Crouse's career has continued to develop, giving her more opportunities for success.

She recently played for HC Oranje-Rood, a club team based in Eindhoven, Netherlands, where she was one of only two Americans in the league.

The U.S. field hockey team also qualified for the 2026 International Hockey Federation World Cup after a silver finish in the 2025 Pan American Cup.

As for Crouse’s future goals in hockey, she has her eyes set on the World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She has learned to take her training one day at a time and be her own biggest supporter.

“I don’t think I’ve reached my potential yet. I still have a lot of room to grow, and a great coaching staff and teammates pushing me to get there,” she said.

Her aspirations outside of field hockey are also developing well. She is in EMT school and said her mom has influenced her passion for medicine and helping others.

“After my hockey career, I do really want to go to medical school,” Crouse said.