Men's U17 vs British Columbia
Chula Vista, CA| November 14-16, 2008

November 12, 2008 - The USA Field Hockey Men's Under-17 Team will face British Columbia in a three-game series this weekend at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA.

"We're very excited about our Under-17 team," said Men's National Team Head Coach Nick Conway. "We want to get them some exposure, to show them some of the footage from the Junior Pan American Cup, and show them what's ahead of them."

"We're very exited about the opportunity and we're excited about some of the players in the group," said Conway. "We've had a great commitement from some of the guys from Europe and the East Coast and people traveling in from long distances to be part of it. We appreciate also the British Columbia side coming down; we'll reciprocate that visit next August in Vancouver.

The Men's Junior (Under-21) National Team took the bronze in the Junior Pan American Cup last month in Trinidad & Tobago and qualified for an automatic bid the 2009 Junior World Cup in Malaysia & Singapore. Several members of the Under-17 team were part of the Junior National Team on the pitch in Trinidad.

"We're excited about the program and the opportunity these guys have to continue and develop into the under-21 age group in a few years," said Conway. "We look forward to developing these players with a definite end product in mind; the Under-17 and Under-21 group will be the crux of the 2016 Olympic team in Chicago."

Competition Schedule

Friday, November 14 - USA 1, BC 0
Goals: Ajai Dhadwal (PC)

CLICK HERE for match report.

In a game with all the charm of watching someone make sausage, the USA squad prevailed against British Columbia, 1-0.  The afternoon match was played under a clear sky at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California.  The warm afternoon sun made it necessary for the coaches to substitute frequently, perhaps fostering some of the confusion on the field. 

The USA team was only able to collectively practice one day before competition began, and the BC team arrived to San Diego on Thursday night.  Both teams seemed to be getting comfortable with their structure and teammates during the first match of the three game series. 

In the first half BC pressured the US squad early with several shots and short corners with little effect.  USA finally took the opportunity to attack the BC goal late in the first half, but remained empty handed headed to the locker room.

The second half was much like the first with turnovers dominating the play.  USA forward Johnny Orozco received a yellow card at the 34-minute mark, leaving USA to play short-handed for six and a half minutes.  BC was unable to capitalize on the advantage. 

At 60 minutes the USA won their second corner of the half.  The corner was all the USA would need, because Ajai Dhadwal delivered a direct hit, low and hard to the near post for the first and only score of the game. 

BC immediately began attacking the USA goal winning nine corners during the last ten minutes of the game.  With a critical save by Andrew Davis, the USA goalie and Man of the Match, the USA was able to hang on for the win.   

- Mike Barminski, USA U17 Manager     

Saturday, November 15 - USA 1, BC 0
CLICK HERE for match report. Game recap to follow!
Sunday, November 16 - USA 2, BC 3

CLICK HERE for match report. Game recap to follow!