UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION
May 2002
2002 Wheelchair Rugby World Championships
Team USA Competition Log
Day 1 - Day 2 -
Day
3 - Day 4 - Day 5
World Championships - Day 6 - Sunday June 2, 2002
This is a very hard report to write, but I know we have a lot of fans at home that have been praying and cheering for us and we thank you. So here it goes.
The game started out on a great note with USA forcing the first turnover and scoring the first goals. The game never swayed either way more than one point for the entire 32 minutes of play. The first quarter ended tied at 4 all.
The USA continued to put on the full court pressure forcing a turnover on the third possession, giving them the one point lead favor. Canada continued to slow the game down with half court defense. Again the half ended all even at 10 a piece.
The Americans had the ball at the third quarter, but the Canadians scored the last goal. The entire quarter was a see saw match, ending with the Canadians scoring a controversial goal as the time expired. The score at the end of the third quarter was 17 all.
USA again had the first possession going into the final 8 minutes of play. We forced the Canadian to two turnovers, but were unable to capitalize on both of them. The ball was in the Canadians hands, with Garret Hickling scoring the tying goal in the seventh minute of play. USA took possession of the ball and brought it across half court. The USA was then forced to call their last time-out to prevent a turnover from occurring. However, on the inbound the ball was deflected and Canada took possession and scored with 8.4 seconds left on the clock. USA brought the ball up the court with time ticking and attempted the only pass available. As the ball was deflected out of bounds, the buzzer sounded and the Canadians took the World Title.
Steve Pate was the high scorer with 9 goals while Mike Gilliland and Brian Kirkland each had 8.
Team USA recognizes Canada for a hard fought match and congratulates them on their first World Championship Title.
Final Results:
(11/12) Germany 42 vs. Netherlands 35
(5/6) New Zealand 26 vs. Great Britain 37
Bronze Medal Game: Australia 45 vs. Belgium 38
Gold Medal Game: USA 24 vs. Canada 25
Current World Standings:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
World Championships - Day 5 - Saturday June 1, 2002
USA put yesterday’s loss behind them and prepared for their semifinal match against Australia. The boys in blue came out with the starting four of Gilliland, Kirkland Cohn, and Lyduch. Australia took the first lead of the game after winning the tip, but Team USA played steady, pressing full court. Offensively, the US was very patient against Australia’s half court defense and scored at each attempt. In the third minute of play Mike Gilliland forced the first turnover of the match and put the US ahead by one. The full court pressure by Team USA continued to challenge the Aussies. The tactic paid off when Pate, Kirkland, Cohn, and Lyduch came in the game immediately forcing a second turnover on the Aussie s. The quarter ended with the USA ahead - 7 to 6.
The ball was the Australians at the start of the second quarter, but it was the USA who scored the first goal, taking a two-point lead. At the three-minute mark, Pate, Kirkland, and Cohn each forced a turnover before another Australian score could be made. This put the US up by 5 points at the 4 minute mark. The first half was finished by Maccabe, Kirkland, Lujano and Kearley. They gained one more goal on the Aussies ending the half with a score of 17-13.
USA began the second half with the same intensity as at the beginning of the game. The wrecking crew was brought back into the contest to continue to upset the Aussies game plan. In the 5 minutes this line played they forced four turnovers, giving USA an 8-point lead. USA was not taking any chances, so a fresh line of Kirkland, Gloor, Cohn, and Lujano was brought in to continue the intense pressure. The quarter ended with Team USA forcing Australia to eleven turnovers compared to the USA’s two. The score was 31-22.
The final quarter saw the wrecking crew return, forcing turnovers in the first and fourth minutes. The momentum continued for USA with Lujano replacing Cohn, as two more turnovers were created. Steve Pate of the USA scored 11 of his 19 goals in the fourth to ensure that he got his birthday wish. The score at the final buzzer was USA 43 and Australia 29. The victory advances Team USA to the Championship game on Sunday afternoon where they will meet Canada and play for the World Title.
The game ball was collected by Team USA and given to Steve Pate for his MVP performance and as a birthday present. Pates "Wrecking Crew" was responsible for 12 of the Americans 17 forced turnovers on the Aussies. Other stats of interest; Pate had 19 goals and forced 5 individual turnovers and Kirkland had 7 goals and forced 4 turnovers of his own.
Results of Day 5:
Switzerland 32 vs. Netherlands 42 Germany 41 vs. Austria 36
Sweden 29 vs. New Zealand 32 Great Britain 38 vs. Japan 34
Australia 29 vs. USA 43
Canada 31 vs. Belgium 29
Sunday Schedule (Finals):
(9/10) Germany vs. Netherlands (11/12) Switzerland vs. Austria
(5/6) New Zealand vs. Great Britain (7/8) Sweden vs. Japan
Bronze Medal Game: Australia vs. Belgium
Gold Medal Game: USA vs. Canada
World Championships - Day 4 - Friday May 31, 2002
As the time on the warm-up clock ticked away, the gym began to fill with Team USA and Canadian fans and the wheelchair rugby fans of the world. They all anticipated a very exciting match between the USA and their northern neighbors, Canada. The buzzer sounded to start the game and USA rolled on the court with Gilliland, Kirkland, Cohn, and Lyduch. The Canadians started with Hickling, Chan, Bacon, and Paradis. The tip was captured by Canada and the pace of the game was set as the teams began to trade goals. At the four minute mark, the USA’s pressure forced Canada to turn the ball over giving the Americans the upper hand. Just before the quarter ended, the Canadians forced the USA to turn the ball over sending both teams into the 2nd quarter with six goals each.
Team USA had the first possession of the second quarter, after a quick score USA had the lead by one. Two minutes into the quarter the wrecking crew of Pate, Kirkland, Cohn, and Crouch forced the Canadians into a 15 seconds back court call. This gave USA a two goal lead, their biggest lead of the game. Both teams forced a turnover, but neither was able to capitalize on them. The game went into halftime with the Americans getting the last goal and a two point lead (13-11).
The third quarter did not start well for the Americans. They had the possession at the quarter, and the Canadians setup in the key. The Americans took two minutes off the clock, and forced the Canadians to come out and play. However, an open pass from Kirkland to Lujano did not connect and the ball was handed to the Canadians. After a goal, the American lead was reduced to one. In the seventh minute the USA gave up the ball one more time, allowing the game to be tied. Canada scored the last goal of the quarter, sending the game into the fourth quarter tied at 17 apiece.
The Canadians had possession at the 4th quarter allowing them to take their first lead since the two minute mark. Canada continued to play strong key defense, forcing the Americans into a turnover when they denied them a goal on the corner. The Canadians took advantage of the USA’s mistake and took a two point lead. After trading goals for six minutes, the Americans needed to make something happen. They put in Pate, Kirkland, Cohn, and Crouch for the stretch run needing to force a Canadian mistake. They fought hard and got their break in the last minute of the game when Canada was called for a contact violation. Steve Pate scored the tying goal with 9 seconds left on the clock. The Canadians got the ball into Hickling’s hands with USA only able to get one hit on him. He then had an open court, Pate was in pursuit and caught him at the line, but the big hit was too late. The penalty goal went to Canada and Pate went to the box to serve the penalty. With two seconds left on the clock, the Americans were unable to answer back. The buzzer sounded and the Canadians won 23-22.
The Americans are in preparations for their Semifinal game on Saturday against the Australians. The loss today did not change the Americans goals of remaining the World Champions; it just set them up with the tougher semi-final game. Tomorrow is a do or die day; the winner of USA vs. Australia will play the winner of the Canada vs. Belgium game for the World Championship on Sunday.
USA scoring was done by 4 players today. Cohn and Kirkland both had 6 goals, while Gilliland and Pate each had 5 goals. Garrett Hickling led scoring for Canada with 11, followed by David Willsie with 6.
Results of Day 4:
Great Britain 48 vs. Germany
23 Sweden 35 vs. Switzerland 29 (upset)
Belgium 48 vs. Netherlands 37 Japan 42 vs. Austria 31
Australia 34 vs. New Zealand 27 USA 22 vs. Canada 23 (upset)
World Championships - Day 3 - Thursday May 30, 2002
Today’s match was against the Austrians who were 0 and 2 coming into the game. Team USA was focused and looking to add another win to their own record of 3 and 0. Gilliland, Kirkland, Cohn and Lyduch won the tip and forced 5 turnovers in the first quarter, finishing the period with an 8-2 lead over Austria. The second quarter saw the wrecking crew of Pate, Kirkland, Cohn, and Crouch. They instantly let the Austrians know who was in charge and scored the first two pints of the quarter. With contributions from both Lujano and Gloor the wrecking crew finished the half with 5 forced turnovers and a 10 point lead (18-8).
The second half saw the USA continue the domination with aggressive play from Zupan, Maccabe, Gloor, and Krows. This lineup traded a goal with Austria and then scored 4 unanswered goals before handing over the court to Gilliland, Zupan, Kearley, and Krows. The remaining 3 minutes of the quarter was back and forth trading of goals, finishing at 27-15. In the final quarter Maccabe, Gloor, Lujano, and Kearley continued the steady play and increased the 12 point lead to 19 for a final score of 38-19.
The leading scorer for Team USA today was Dean Maccabe with 9 points, followed by Bryan Kirkland with 8. Tomorrow the team finishes up pool play when they play Canada at 2PM. If the USA beats the Canadians they will finish top in their pool and meet either Belgium or Australia in the semi-final on Saturday.
Results from
today’s games:
USA 38 vs. Austria 19 New Zealand 42 vs.
Germany 28
Canada 33 vs. Sweden 30 Australia 46 vs. Belgium 43
Switzerland 20 vs. Japan 31 (upset) Great Britain 43 vs.
Netherlands 28
Canada 37 vs. Austria 33 Australia 51 vs. Germany 42
World Championships - Day 2 - Wednesday May 29, 2002
Day two of World Championships would provide two playing opportunities for Team USA. The day started out facing the rocket speed of the Japanese team. This was the first appearance at World Championships for the Japan; who have proven to the world they are a country that has learned the sport of wheelchair rugby well.
Team USA started the game with Gilliland, Kirkland, Cohn and Lyduch. This lineup once again put the heat on from the opening tip-off. Scoring 5 straight goals in the first three minutes of play, the USA welcomed the Japanese rookies to international competition. Also contributing to the steady start was the US’s 2.0 line-up of Kirkland, Cohn, Lujano, and Gloor. The first quarter ended 12 to 8.
USA knew that they could not take Japan lightly. During the second quarter the Japanese settled into the game and forced the Americans to four turnovers. The Americans however, were able to answer back forcing the Japanese to 4 turnovers of their own. At the half-time break it was the American who were up by 4 goals (23-19).
Head Coach, Kevin Orr let the Americans know of his dissatisfaction with their play during the second quarter. This pumped up the athletes and encouraged them to turn up the heat in the second half. Pate, Kirkland, Cohn, and Crouch entered the court for the third quarter determined to do some damage. In the 3 minutes and 21 seconds that they were on the court they forced the Japanese team to turn over the ball 6 times, increasing the USA’s lead to 11 goals. The lineup of Gilliland, Cohn, Gloor and Lyduch continued the hard hitting action, forcing another 3 turnovers, ending the quarter at 40-28.
The Americans knew that they could not let up on the track stars from Japan. They continued to slow down the speed of Japan with aggressive, hard hitting rugby. The forth quarter started with Maccabe, Kirkland, Lujano, and Kearley. This line-up forced three unanswered turnovers, before the closers came in and put the game way out of reach for the Japanese. The final line-up of Zupan, Maccabe, Lujano, and Krows saw the court for 2 minutes and 27 seconds and scored 10 goals to Japans 2. The final score of a very fast game for Japan, and hard hitting game by the Americans was 59-37.
Mark Zupan and Bryan Kirkland lead the USA’s scoring with 14 goals apiece, followed by Mike Gilliland with 8 and Dean Maccabe with 7. Lujano and Pate each contributed 5 goals, and Cohn chipped in 4. Defensively, the team played very aggressive forcing 10 turnovers as a team effort. Maccabe lead in individual steals with 5, followed by Kirkland forcing 3.5. Gilliland stole the ball 3 times, Lyduch contributed to 2.5 turnovers. Pate and Zupan each got 2, and Lujano and Cohn contributed 1apiece.
Game Two - 7:00 pm - USA vs. Switzerland
USA came out with what is becoming the favorite starting lineup of Gilliland, Kirkland, Cohn and Lyduch. After capturing the tip, the Americans traded two goals with the Swiss and that was the last time the Swiss team had a chance to be in the game. During the quarter the starting four captured 4 turnovers and then were reloaded with Pate, Kirkland, Cohn, and Crouch. During their reign on the court the Americans forced four more turnovers on the stunned Swiss. The quarter ended on a 5 goal US run, leaving the score at 12-3 as the buzzer sounded.
Pate, Zupan, Lyduch, and Crouch continued the USA’s dominance in the second quarter with unrelentless pressure and defense. The USA’s versatility continued as Gilliland, Zupan, Kearley, and Krows rotated into the game. The Americans entered halftime with a 26-7 lead. Gilliland, Pate and Maccabe were tied as the games third highest scorers with seven points each.
The USA started the third period with seven straight goals. This run was lead by Zupan who finished the game as the leading scorer with 11 goals. He and his teammates, Maccabe, Lujano and Krows outscored the Swiss 12-3 in the first 4 minutes. The second part of the third quarter’s domination saw some great defensive teamwork by Maccabe, Gloor, Lujano and Kearley. The run was led by Maccabe with 5 steals and 5 points. Gloor added 5 goals and 3 steals of his own. The quarter ended with a score of 47-13.
As the Americans went into the final period of play they continued forward with the same intensity as in the first minute of the game. Lujano was the second highest scorer of the game, capturing all 10 of his goals in the second half. The USA’s persistent defense continued through the final buzzer for a final score of 58-20.
Every athlete on Team USA contributed to the win, as they have in each game played so far. On Thursday the Americans play Austria at 10am Gothenburg time before meeting the Canadians on Friday.
Results of Day 2:
Australia 49 vs.
Netherlands 37 Canada 59 vs. Switzerland 31
New Zealand 29 vs. Great Britain 31 (upset) USA 59 vs. Japan 37
Germany 33 vs. Belgium 45 (upset) Sweden 47 vs. Austria 26
New Zealand 42 vs. Netherlands 21 USA 58 vs. Switzerland 20
World Championships - Day 1:
After attending opening ceremonies today, Team USA played their first
game against the host country, Sweden. The US‘s starting lineup of
Gilliland, Kirkland, Cohn and Lyduch came out on fire, forcing Sweden to
three unanswered turnovers in the first 2 minutes of play. By the time
Sweden settled in the USA had a 3-0 lead. Team USA continued to fight hard
and ended the first period leading 10 to 5.
At the start of the second period the USA had difficulty controlling the ball and Sweden took advantage. Giving up 2 goals by the three minute mark, the USA switched lineups and ran with Zupan, Maccabe, Kearley and Lyduch. The foursome forced the momentum back in the US’s favor and quickly gained back the two lost goals. At the half the USA led, 19-16.
Lujano, Kirkland, Cohn and Gloor started the third period, scoring two goals before the Swedes realized they were up against an all 2.0 line-up. In the second minute of play the USA got their first of three stolen balls in the period. Their steady play continued with a turnover free quarter and sent the Americans into the fourth leading 28 to 22.
Gilliland, Maccabe, Kirkland, and Krows began the 4th period. Zupan, Cohn, and Lujano also contributed to the US’s efforts as they played another turnover free period. In the end Team USA defeated the Swedish host, 38-31. The Americans played a beautiful game with only 4 turnovers and forcing the Swedish team to 11. Bryan Kirkland was named Player of the Game for his high score of 9 goals and tenacious defense. On Wednesday the US will face Japan and Switzerland.
Results - Day 1:
USA 38 vs Sweden 31 - Australia 36 vs Great Britain 34 - Canada 40 vs
Japan 29
New Zealand 32 vs Belgium 33 (upset) - Switzerland 47 vs Austria 41 -
Germany 46 vs Netherlands 42
Sweden 40 vs Japan 32 - Great Britain 40 vs Belgium 41(upset)
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