In 1987, Curley tried out and was selected for the US women's hockey national team. Curley played on the US team in the unofficial championship of 1987. Curley played in the inaugural official 1990 IIHF Women's World Championship in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. In five games, she scored 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points to lead the tournament in scoring. Curley returned for the 1992 and 1994 championships. Curley was captain of the US national women's team from 1989 to 1996. Curley had several knee surgeries and retired from active play in 1994. Curley took up coaching of an under-19 girls' team and joined the board of USA Hockey and later the US Hockey Olympic Advisory Committee.