2010 YOuth Pan American CHAMPIONSHIP
Updated on February 13, 2010
FINAL vs ARGENTINA
Argentina 2, USA 1
FINAL PHOTO GALLERY >>
Hermosillo, Mexico - The gold medal match between Argentina and USA proved to be a championship caliber match which ended in dramatic fashion. Both teams fought to a 0-0 halftime score with Argentina getting more of the offensive pressure and penalty corner opportunities. USA had a few chances but could not overcome the pressing Argentinean team. USA goal keeper Brandon Karess made many saves to keep the score even.
After the break, Argentina finally capitalized on the press in the 43rd minute with a field goal by Manuel Sacchetti. USA, able to overcome the press, put on a press of their own earning them goal scoring opportunities and penalty corners. In the 62nd minute, Ranveer Kundi scored on a rebound from a penalty corner that evened the score with 8 minutes remaining in the game. USA continued to press and had a Christian Linney shot stick saved on the line by the Argentinean goal keeper. With two minutes remaining Argentina was successful again pressing the USA defense leading to the game winner field goal with 1:36 left to play.
USA played a terrific tournament and came away with a well earned silver medal. USA Brandon Karess was honored with the goal keeper of the tournament.
"We are extremely pleased by the performance of our National U17 Men's Team," said Men's National Team Head Coach Nick Conway. "To not only compete so effectively against a quality opposition like Argentina, but to create real opportunity and be in with a real chance of victory at the end is a massive credit to the athletes and management alike. I'm sure everyone will be hurting to lose right at the death but once things have settled they will look back on this tournament as a hugely positive outcome and an experience that will prove very important as they progress forwards. To experience a final is extremely important at this stage of development and I'm sure this will be the foundation from which this group of athletes will progress enormously."
Scoring Summary:
43' - ARG - Sacchetti, Manuel (FG)
62' - USA - Kundi, Ranveer (PC)
69' - ARG - Sueiro, Felipe (FG)
Man of the match - Brandon Karess
GAME FOUR vs CANADA
USA 2, Canada 1
Hermosillo, Mexico - In the final match of pool play, USA secured a spot in the gold medal match with a 2-1 victory over Canada. USA, who needed a win or a draw to advance, started the match confidentially and convincingly playing for the win. USA put on the press early and had many opportunities to get on the scoreboard. Canada's defense held the game scoreless until the 26th, when USA Tyler Sundeen interception found Johnny Orozco on the left wing to beat two Canadian defenders and a shot pass the Canadian goal keeper for the opening goal of the match. USA led at halftime 1-0.
Canada started the second half with conviction, leading to penalty corner opportunities. Canada was successful in converting a penalty corner rebound in the 44th minute to even the score at 1-1. Canada, knowing they needed a victory to advance, put on the press and was able to earn a couple more penalty corner tries but were unsuccessful. USA regained the momentum with their consistent play in the back field between Ajai Dhadwal, Paul Singh, Kenny Patrone, Sander Cummings and Amrit Beatty. In the 55th minute, USA Ranveer Kundi centering pass from the right wing found Pedro Zepeda for the game winning goal. USA never looked back and sealed a rematch with Argentina in the gold medal match of the 1st PAHF men's youth championship - to be held at 1:30 P.M. local time on February 13, 2010.
"This is an outstanding result," said Men's National Team Head Coach Nick Conway. "It's really pleasing to see this group get some quality reward after every single one of them committed to the pre-tournament training block despite the challenges associated with maintaining academic performance. Everyone involved should be proud and take credit for this groups ability to reach a continental final; their schools, parents and the job that the Management team has done has been outstanding. The challenge is now for the athletes to continue their strong performances in the Final and we wish them really well in that endeavor. Good luck lads, we're all supporting you massively from the States, one more win would make for an historic achievement and provide a really strong drive for the future of American hockey."
Scoring Summary:
26' - USA - Orozco, Johnny (FG)
44' - CAN - Curran, Spencer (PC)
55' - USA - Zepeda, Pedro (FG)
Man of the match - Tyler Sundeen
GAME THREE vs MEXICO
USA 2, Mexico 1
USA 2, Mexico 1
Hermosillo, Mexico - In the third match of pool play, USA came from behind to defeat Mexico 2-1, after trailing at halftime 1-0. Playing the host country behind a home crowd and heated temperature, Mexico played with determination to make a classification match on Saturday. Both teams had several opportunities in the first half including three penalty corners each. Mexico capitalized first in the 28th minutes when Jordy Chavez penalty corner shot deflected off of a USA defender and found the back of the net. Mexico held onto the 1-0 lead into the break.
USA coach Ben Maruquin's halftime speech calm the nerves of the USA team as they came out of the break looking more confident and becoming the more aggressive team. In the third minute of the second half, USA tied the score on a field goal deflection by Ajaypal Singh. Singh's goal was a result of a series of USA passes, the last coming from Johnny Orozco to Singh for the finish. USA continued to put on the pressure and in the 47th minute USA Christian Linney scored the eventual game winner. Linney dribbled in from a 23-meter self-start beating three Mexican defenders and finishing with a back-hand shot, scoring his third goal of the tournament. Mexico had a few chances in the remaining minutes but was turned down by captain Ajai Dhadwal and a game saving one-on-one save by USA goal keeper Brandon Karess.
USA currently stands second in the standings and will faces Canada in the tournament's final pool play match. USA will advance to the championship game with a tie or a win over Canada. Game time is set for Friday February 12, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. local time.
Scoring Summary:
28' - MEX - Chavez, Jordy (PC)
38' - USA - Singh, Ajaypal (FG)
47' - USA - Linney, Christian (FG)
Man of the match - Ajai Dhadwal
GAME TWO vs ARGENTINA
Argetina 3, USA 1
GAME TWO PHOTO GALLERY (from Pan Am Hockey) >>
Hermosillo, Mexico - In the second pool play match of the Pan American Youth Championship, USA started the match where they left off after day 1 of their defeat of Chile with a couple of quick goal shots and a penalty corner in the first five minutes of the match. USA was unable to convert on the try but came out early with the offensive pressure. A hard physical battle between both teams with opportunities in both directions saw Argentina earn more penalty corners than the USA squad. Argentina, who converted on four penalty corners in their previous game, was unable to convert any against the stingy USA corner defense. In the 18th minute, USA goal keeper Brandon Karess made a spectacular save on a deflected shot but Argentine Felipe Sueiro was there to net the first goal of the game and celebrate in Argentine fashion following the rebound field goal. Argentina continued to have control of the game in the first half and increase their lead on a counter attack deflection to move the score to 2-0 before the break, scored by Santiago Sacchetti.
After some halftime adjustments, team USA came out aggressive and pressed the Argentinean defenders, but it was the Argentines, who were successful converting another counter attack, in the 45th minute from a brilliant shot from forward Sebastian Casini. USA turned up the heat in the remaining minutes as they had a handful of opportunities to get on the scoreboard including a penalty corner option by Tyler Sundeen that was called back because the stop was on the line and never left the shooting circle. USA was able to get on the scoreboard in the 64th minute when Christian Linney deflected home a Sundeen pass. Linney's second goal of the tournament lead to a full court press of team USA and an emotional finish to a well fought battle.
USA, currently stands third in the standings and will faces host country Mexico on Febuary 11, 2010, day 4 of the tournament, after a tournament rest day. Mexico currently stands in fifth place and drew with Chile today 4-4.
Scoring Summary:
18' - ARG - Sueiro, Felipe (FG)
26' - ARG - Serrano, Santiago (FG)
45' - ARG - Casini, Sebastian (FG)
64' - USA - Linney, Christian (FG)
Man of the match - Brandon Karess
GAME ONE vs CHILE
USA 3, Chile 1
GAME ONE PHOTO GALLERY (from Pan Am Hockey) >>
Hermosillo, Mexico - In the opening match of the 2010 1st Pan American Hockey Federation Men's Youth Championship, United States of America defeated Chile by the score of 3-1. The winner of the 1st PAHF Men's Youth Championship will earn an automatic berth to the 1st Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore later this year. USA, lead by captain and vice-captain Ajai Dhadwal and Michael Barminski respectively, played a very competitive match against a solid Chilean Team, who recently finished 3rd in the Argentinean National Championships.
Both teams traded scoring opportunities and penalty corners early in the match. USA got on the scoreboard first as they converted their second penalty corner of the match in the 28th minutes. Christian Linney scored the opening goal as the USA penalty corner option pass from Ranveer Kundi found Linney to put USA on top. USA lead at half- time 1-0. Chile responded with a penalty corner goal of their own in the 48th minute to even up the score at 1-1, scored by Pablo Purcell on a deflected drag flick that beat USA goal keeper Brandon Karess. Karess made many key saves throughout the match.
USA put on a full press and capitalized in the 56th minute when Kundi's backstick rebound shot proved to be the game winning goal. Play intensified as Chile fought back until the 62nd minute when Amrit Beatty scored another USA backstick field goal to put the game out of reach.
Head Coach Ben Maruquin commended his team by saying, "The team followed the game play to perfection".
USA has a rest day on day 2 of the tournament and will resume play on day 3 of the tournament, February 9, 2010 at 4:30 PM local time against Argentina.
Scoring Summary:
28' - USA - Linney, Christian (PC)
48' - CHI - Purcell, Pablo (PC)
56' - USA - Kundi, Ranveer (FG)
62' - USA - Beatty, Amrit (FG)
Co-Man of the match - Ajai Dhadwal and Michael Barminski
BLOG UPDATE
Ajai Dhadwal updates the player blog for Thursday! CHECK IT OUT >>
TEAM USA ANNOUNCEMENT
Posted January 20, 2010
CHULA VISTA, CA - USA Field Hockey and Men's National Team Head Coach Nick Conway today announced the names of the athletes who will represent the USA at the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship, scheduled from February 7 to 13 in Hermosillo, Mexico.
The 2010 Pan American Youth Championship serves as the continental qualifier for the 1st Youth Olympic Games, to take place in Singapore in the summer of 2010. The under-17 tournament features players born in 1993 and 1994. The USA will face traditional Pan American rivals Argentina, Canada, Chile and Mexico in competition.
"This is a great opportunity to begin the process of developing our next Under-21 squad that will ultimately strive to compete and medal in the 2012 Junior Pan American Championships and be competitive at the 2013 Junior World Cup," said Conway.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for our squad to see what we will be up against in the Pan American region over the next few years," said Head Coach Ben Maruquin.
The athletes selected for the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship are:
Michael Barminski, Amrit Beatty, Sean Cicchi, Sander Cummings, Ajai Dhadwal, Tanvir Grewal, Brandon Karess (GK), Ranveer Kundi, Christian Linney, Luc Morter, Johnny Orozco, Kenny Patrone, Spencer Reed (GK), Ajaypal Singh, Paul Singh and Tyler Sundeen.
Manager: Mike Barminski
Head Coach: Ben Maruquin
Asst. Coach: Binh Hoang
"I am glad that we have some of the players available for this tournament that we really wanted to assess, like Sander Cummings and Christian Linney," said Maruquin. "Ajai Dhadwal played in the 2009 Junior World Cup. He also went to the World Cup Qualifier in Quilmes with the senior team. He is young enough to go to the next Junior World Cup and continues to improve with each international challenge."
Pan American Youth Championship Competition Schedule
Sunday February 7 v Chile @ 12PM
Tuesday February 9 v Argentina @ 4.30PM
Thursday February 11 v Mexico @ 4.30PM
Friday February 12 v Canada @ 12PM
Saturday February 13 Bronze Medal @ 9AM / Gold Medal @ 11AM
In preparation, the team will hold a training camp at the Ventura County Red Devils High Performance Training Center in Moorpark, California from January 30 - February 3. Previously, the team completed a three game test series against British Columbia in July. Despite a final record of two draws and a loss, they improved in each successive game and created enough opportunities to have won all three games.
"Early international exposure to the entire junior squad will only enhance the competitiveness within the group," said Maruquin. "Going forward, the next Junior Pan American games squad will be further ahead internationally than last year's Junior World Cup team, which is an exciting step forward within this junior squad and the Men's National Teams programs."
For more information on the 2010 Pan American Youth Championship, visit the official tournament website at panamhockey.org.