USA FIELD HOCKEY - Men's U17 and U21 match reports

MEN'S UNDER 17 and UNDER 21 TEAM REPORTS

Sunday, August 3, 2008

USA U17 1 v 3 British Columbia U16

British Columbia sealed the series victory winning the rubber match against a vastly improved USA Team on Sunday August 3 at the Ventura County High Performance Training Center.

In an evenly contested final match the BC Team came away with a rather flattering 3-1 winning advantage. Despite the USA Team having more of the possession and territorial advantage the BC Team were able to capitalize on it’s chances with cleaner execution in the attacking circle.

The USA Team failed to score from two clear cut field goal opportunities. In contrast the BC Team scored from three of its four goal scoring opportunities for the match. Both teams squandered its penalty corner opportunities showing youthful inexperience at this critical skill component.

The USA Team showed a considerable performance increase from the previous day, although the outcome of the series has left a sour feeling amongst the group.

A return series is scheduled for November in Vancouver where the young American’s hope to return to winning ways.

Player of the Match went to Center-Half Liam Walsh for his tireless efforts throughout the contest.

USA U21 2 v 5 Moorpark Select XI

The Moorpark Select XI convincingly won the final match of a busy weekend at the Ventura County High Performance Training Center 3-1 versus the USA U21 Team.

Manny Martinez gave the USA Team an early and well deserved lead knocking in from close range after a period of consistent pressure.

The experienced Moorpark Team equalized from the games second penalty corner with a smart deflection routine delivered with considerable accuracy from former National Team Captain Shawn Nakamura.

Within minutes Moorpark took ascendancy in the game with a second deflected goal, this time from field play. Rinku Bhamber deftly providing a precision pass after skillfully dancing around the right baseline.

An even contest prevailed right up until the half-time break when a quick attacking free-hit combined with poor circle marking enabled a free backhand strike which found its way through the crowd and past an unsighted Andrew Zayac in the USA goal for a 3-1 half-time lead. The Junior’s were noticeably frazzled by the late exchanges of the half.

After a half-time re-grouping, the USA Team were considerably more aggressive and determined to improve on their marking short-comings of the first half. The next goal appeared critical and unfortunately for the young Americans it fell to the Moorpark Team further extending their lead to a 4-1 advantage.

A Will Holt penalty corner conversion slimmed the lead to 4-2 after a previous penalty corner had cannoned to safety from the post. Again feeling a sense of a chance the U21 Team pushed for a further goal which would have lead to a Grand Stand finish.

However, Danny Jordan provided the killer moment for the Moorpark Team converting a field goal from the inside left channel disappointingly past Andrew Zayac’s near post all but eliminating any chance of a comeback from the boys in red.

The final score of 5-2 exemplified a greater conversion rate for the Moorpark boys as the game was evenly contested in all areas except attacking circle execution.

The U21 Team will re-group for another training camp opportunity at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center, August 28 – September 1.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

USA U21 v Moorpark Select XI - Game 2

Following their close game on Thursday evening, USA U21 and Moorpark Select again locked horns in a tight game on Saturday morning. USAU21 came from behind to score a late winner and win the game 2-1. The game started with Moorpark engaging in a half-court press, enabling the USA U21 back four plenty of time on the ball. It was in the 5th minute that USA had their first clear cut chance with Jed Cunningham setting up Will Holt with a very open shot which was flashed over the bar. Soon after, Moorpark started to take control of the game and scored in the 8th minute when they latched onto a hopeful cross to tap in from close range. Some very loose defending in the circle saw any one of 3 Moorpark players available to knock in the goal. Moorpark continued to pressure the USA and had penalty corners in the 10th and 16th minute, the first of which was excellently saved on the line by John Ginolfi from a dummy strike and then flick which had the goalkeeper logged. In the 18th minute the USA went excruciatingly close when Jed Cunningham delivered a super cross but the deflection went just high and wide. shortly after, the full press the USA had been working on worked wonders as a turnover was converted into a goal after some slick short passing set up Asavir Kalla to slot home. The end of the half saw the USA having the lions share of possession with Colin Scally Manny Martinez and Nick Szoke working hard up front but mis-traps letting down the flow of the play. Two penalty corners in the last 10 mins were both sent wide. A call for greater composure in the circle, and greater persistence in the pressing at half time, went largely unnoticed as Moorpark had the better of the opening exchanges in the 2nd half. Moorpark had penalty corner in the 5th minute after a mis-trap in the D, which was well saved, and USA had a clear cut chance soon after in the 6th minute where a lack of composure in the circle averted a great opportunity for the USA to go ahead. The frustrations for the USA started to creep into the game, with Will Holt being shown a yellow card in the 8th minute for dissent, and a 10 minute period of pressure for the USA also saw an unnecessary penalty corner awarded for indiscipline in the 18th minute. The teams shared opportunities, with penalty corners at both ends. The USA not making the best of penalty corners in the 14th, 20th and 22nd minutes. Moorpark had an excellent chance to go ahead in the 26th minute from a Penalty Corner, but Andrew Zayac in goal made a fantastic save from a drag flick into the top left hand corner. The ensuing counter-attack saw a great piece of attacking hockey from the USA, with a swift transfer and cross which wasn’t quite latched onto. USA really should have taken the lead in the 28th minute when a strong drive from Will Holt resulted in a penalty corner. The drag flick was saved, but the rebound which came to Ryan Sundeen at chest height was put across the face of the goal. Late in the game, as both teams searched for the elusive winner, it was Moorpark who felt they had snatched it when a deflection opportunity went just wide in the 31st minute. An inspired substitution which saw Jed Cunningham playing in the forward line was rewarded when an excellent incisive pass by Liam Walsh a quick free hit, and a nicely taken reverse stick shot saw Cunningham put the USA ahead in the 33rd minute. In some nervous final minutes the USA conceded a penalty corner from some messy tackling and Jed Cunningham received a yellow card for knocking the ball away in the 34th minute. However, the USA was able to stay strong and hold onto a 2-1 win to take the 2nd game and thus the series. The two teams meet again on Sunday in the final game of the 3 match series.

USA Men’s U17 v BC Men’s U16

The USA U17 team hosted a British Columbia U16 team at Moorpark on Friday at 2.30pm. It was a good start to the series for the USA team with a comfortable 5-3 win at the Ventura County High Performance Training Centre. The game started off fairly quickly with opportunities being created at both ends of the park. Despite the USA having more possession in the opening exchanges it was BC who had the better chances, and even hit a post in the opening minutes. USA won their first penalty corner in the 3rd minute but the straight shot was easily saved. It was in the 8th minute that the deadlock was broken with BC counter-attacking the length of the field after a missed goal shot by USA and going from one end to the other to score, with a nicely taken strike from the centre forward. USA had another Penalty Corner in the 10th minute which was saved, however it was in the 15th minute that USA equalized with Lucas Long scrambling in a goal shot after an untidy cross was delivered across the face of the goal. USA started to dominate with Tyler Sundeen and Ja Ja Kentwell causing trouble with their aggressive closing and fast counter-attacks and passing. This ascendancy was turned on its head in the 25th minute when the over-enthusiastic attacking by USA saw the entire team in their opposition half, leaving two unmarked BC forwards who raced in from the half way line to have a 2 on 1 on Andrew Davis in goal, and giving him no chance. USA showed great strength of character to equalize late in the half with a well worked short corner deflection at the far post by Ja Ja Kentwell. The half time team-talk asked for greater aggression in the pressing and closing, and the promise that this would be converted to goal-scoring opportunities. The USA aggressively pressed in the opening exchanges of the 2nd half and scored a fantastic goal from a turnover in the 39th minute to take the lead for the first time. Viren Padhiar converting an excellent reverse stick shot into the far bottom corner from the top of the circle. BC pushed back with some of their fast and direct forwards causing some trouble to USA when they turned over. However, despite the barrage of short corners in the 40th minute, USA held firm with Mo Gandhi and Paulie Singh and Andrew Davis in goal defending with aplomb. The clear highlight of the game was in the 41st minute when Tyler Sundeen picked up a ball in the 25 and galloped down the left hand side line from Left Half. Following a great “give and go” and an incisive drive into the left hand side of the opposition circle, he delivered a pin-point pass for Jivraj Hundal to deflect at the far post. A wonderful period of play and a great goal. This gave the USA a comforting 4-2 lead. USA continued to rotate its players in the 2nd half, with all 16 players playing their part. Penalty corners were exchanged throughout the half, but it was the USA who scored again in the 54th minute from a rebound by Travis Kemsley following a saved straight flick. The tiring full press the USA team had imposed for the entire game started to take its toll late in the second half as BC started to get back into the game through territory, turnovers and possession. BC earned 3 penalty corners in the last 10 minutes, converting the first of these with a straight flick in the 60th minute to make the score 5-3. The game wound down with USA holding out the persistent BC attacks to end the game fairly comfortable 5-3 winners. Tyler Sundeen was awarded the man-of-the-match award for his untiring efforts and work ethic and his contribution to the highlight goal of the game. The Penalty Corner count was 7-6 in favor of BC, which would suggest the game was closer than the score line made out. The USA will take pleasure from the result, but have plenty to work on in the remaining games in the 3 match series.

Friday, August 1, 2008

USA Men's U21 v Moorpark Select Series - Game 1

The USA Men's U21 Team came away with a well deserved 2-1 victory against a select representative team from Moorpark yesterday at the Ventura County High Performance Training Center. The Moorpark team lived up to their name as the select few arrived for a scheduled game time of 6PM. A delayed start due to a late GK withdrawal forced the locals to play with a kicking back for the first ten minutes of the match. The USA Team were unable to capitalize. At the 10 minute mark the USA Junior's earned their first penalty corner. A further short delay later (to allow the replacement GK opportunity to finish padding up) and the Select Team were, at last a Select XI. The Moorpark Team, consisted of five experienced Senior International players in Pat Cota, Rinku Bhamber, Shawn Nakamura, Binh Hoang and Ian Scally combined with some experienced local players whose best playing days are arguably well behind them. Short of a bench (and fitness) the Moorpark Team offered little in the way of front field pressure preferring to capitalize on skill errors from their younger opponents. Unfortunately, in the early going the skills of the U21 athletes were lacking and poor turnovers prevailed in outlet situations albeit without consequence. A somewhat lethargic first half ended scoreless with the best chance falling to the USA Team after a penalty corner rebound sequence. The second half started with a sharp counter-attack opportunity smartly finished by Manny Martinez and provided cleverly be Will Holt in the 37th minute. The scorer creating the initial turnover through a well executed mobile press. The next 20 minutes were largely dominated by the U21 Team although a pattern of poor finishing decisions failed to put the game out of reach. As often happens after opportunities are squandered in the front end, the equalizing goal came soon thereafter. Rinku Bhamber making no mistake drilling a rebound opportunity in the 57th minute after poor defensive organization had opened up the USA left side defense. A period of 5 minutes followed where the Moorpark side dominated play and could have, and perhaps should have taken the lead. Andrew Zayac saving well from both Moorpark penalty corner attempts. Surviving this period of play, the USA Team went on to win the game with a well executed backhand strike from Jed Cunningham in the 65th minute. The goal shot coming from regained possession after a broken attacking penalty corner. The only other opportunity of the match went squandered at the far post for the USA Team. Having won 6 penalty corners to 2 and created significantly more opportunity in the front end the USA Team comfortably saw out the time to win the first game (of three) in the series.

USA Men's U17 v British Columbia U16
It was a good start to the series for the USA team with a comfortable 5-3 win at the Ventura County High Performance Training Centre. The game started off fairly quickly with opportunities being created at both ends of the park. Despite the USA having more possession in the opening exchanges it was BC who had the better chances, and even hit a post in the opening minutes. USA won their first penalty corner in the 3rd minute but the straight shot was easily saved. It was in the 8th minute that the deadlock was broken with BC counter-attacking the length of the field after a missed goal shot by USA and going from one end to the other to score, with a nicely taken strike from the centre forward. USA had another Penalty Corner in the 10th minute which was saved, however it was in the 15th minute that USA equalized with Lucas Long scrambling in a goal shot after an untidy cross was delivered across the face of the goal. USA started to dominate with Tyler Sundeen and Ja Ja Kentwell causing trouble with their aggressive closing and fast counter-attacks and passing. This ascendancy was turned on its head in the 25th minute when the over-enthusiastic attacking by USA saw the entire team in their opposition half, leaving two unmarked BC forwards who raced in from the half way line to have a 2 on 1 on Andrew Davis in goal, and giving him no chance. USA showed great strength of character to equalize late in the half with a well worked short corner deflection at the far post by Ja Ja Kentwell. The half time team-talk asked for greater aggression in the pressing and closing, and the promise that this would be converted to goal-scoring opportunities. The USA aggressively pressed in the opening exchanges of the 2nd half and scored a fantastic goal from a turnover in the 39th minute to take the lead for the first time. Viren Padhiar converting an excellent reverse stick shot into the far bottom corner from the top of the circle. BC pushed back with some of their fast and direct forwards causing some trouble to USA when they turned over. However, despite the barrage of short corners in the 40th minute, USA held firm with Mo Gandhi and Paulie Singh and Andrew Davis in goal defending with aplomb. The clear highlight of the game was in the 41st minute when Tyler Sundeen picked up a ball in the 25 and galloped down the left hand side line from Left Half. Following a great “give and go” and an incisive drive into the left hand side of the opposition circle, he delivered a pin-point pass for Jivraj Hundal to deflect at the far post. A wonderful period of play and a great goal. This gave the USA a comforting 4-2 lead. USA continued to rotate its players in the 2nd half, with all 16 players playing their part. Penalty corners were exchanged throughout the half, but it was the USA who scored again in the 54th minute from a rebound by Travis Kemsley following a saved straight flick. The tiring full press the USA team had imposed for the entire game started to take its toll late in the second half as BC started to get back into the game through territory, turnovers and possession. BC earned 3 penalty corners in the last 10 minutes, converting the first of these with a straight flick in the 60th minute to make the score 5-3. The game wound down with USA holding out the persistent BC attacks to end the game fairly comfortable 5-3 winners. Tyler Sundeen was awarded the man-of-the-match award for his untiring efforts and work ethic and his contribution to the highlight goal of the game. The Penalty Corner count was 7-6 in favor of BC, which would suggest the game was closer than the score line made out. The USA will take pleasure from the result, but have plenty to work on in the remaining games in the 3 match series.