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With expectations running high, the beginning of the 2000 Paralympic Games for Wheelchair Rugby began today. The tournament featuring eight of the best teams in the world, started with number 1 seeded USA vs the 8 seed team from Switzerland.

In the Dome, a venue that seats 10,000, the boys of rugby took to the floor specifically outlined (or marked) for this wheelchair sport. The anticipation and nervousness that had been building for months had finally come to fruition.

The game began with the USA starting a lineup McGuirk, Draney, Chunn and Crouch going against the Swiss line of Suter, Schmid, Winistoerfer, and Pejic. The USA came out hot, winning the jump and scoring quickly. The Swiss however, came right back with a nice play from Schmid. The US responded with Ric Draney taking the touch pass from McGuirk for a nice score.

The pressure began however on the next defensive stand as Schmid was trapped on the base line and the only option he had was a timeout. As the next few plays evolved the US seemed to find its groove, and at 5:41 the USA got what would be 1 of 3 turnovers in the 1st quarter. And at the end of the 1st quarter the score was US 9 Swiss 7.

Team USA came out with heavy hitters at the start of the 2nd. As Pate, Kirkland, and Gillou came out to join Chun, the mood and tempo changed immediately. After a quick pass from Pate, Kirkland scored a goal. The next possession saw the Swiss once again trapped on the baseline. And forced to call a timeout the Swiss would come back out and turn the ball over on the next possession with Pejic making a bad pass on the inbound.

Hard hits were the order of the quarter. And with 3:07 left in the half the US went with an AC line of Romero, McGuirk, Shadowens and Lyduch. This line known for having two dominate players and two pickers is a "high octane" offensive and defensive squad. They complemented the big hitters in the previous line to cause two quick turnovers and close out the half with an 18 to 12 lead.

After a brief intermission the heat rose in the 3rd as the US came at the Swiss with yet another line. Lyduch, McCabe, Draney and Kirkland entered the playing field and struggled with an errant pass that served as 1 of the 5 turnovers the USA had on the day. Still trying to find its composure, the US got a 10 seconds in the key called on a few plays later.

Settling down, the USA caused 4 consecutive turnovers forcing the Swiss into a major deficit. And the forced turnovers were picking up with the appearance of the "Killer B" line of Chunn, Kirkland, McCabe, and 1.5 Bill Renji. This was the most effective defensive line causing a game high 5 turnovers in their 4 minutes total time on the court. At the end the US had advanced to a 31 to 18 lead.

With the game somewhat in hand the US went to a more controlled offense putting the starting line of McGuirk, Draney, Chunn, and Crouch on the floor. Going goal for goal in the waning minutes the USA went into a key defense with two minutes left to close out the first game of the competition with a 42 to 27 victory.

High marks all around for Team USA as Chunn lead all scorers with 10 and Draney and McGuirk tied with assists at 5 apiece. The USA faces Australia Thursday night.

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