TORONTO, Canada - July 21, 2018 - Following their two pool play losses, the U.S. U-18 Men's National Team fought hard in their quarterfinal and consolation games of the Canadian National Championship (CNC) but fell just short to tough Ontario and BC Lions sides. This set the U-18 USMNT up in the second consolation game against Ontario E. 

"The team has been implementing a new set of tactics and the adjustment certainly has not been easy, but the team has worked hard to make those changes," said Alex Grassi, U-18 USMNT Head Coach and USMNT Athlete. "The results of our matches reflect the team’s efforts to learn and make fixes. Each match has shown improvement and the boys have responded very positively to these challenges, Looking forward to more growth and better execution in the next few games." 

USA struggled with creating and maintaining structure in this first game of pool play in the Canadian National Championship. In the first quarter, USA gave up three field goals (0-3). BC Rams attacked quickly at the start of the second quarter adding an additional goal in the 21st minute to make it 0-4. USA’s defense seemed to settle in for the remainder of the quarter and did not allow any additional scoring. For the rest of the game, the Rams continued to rack up goals with USA unable to get on the score board. An attempt was made in the fourth quarter by Puneet Singh (San Jose, Calif.) but the shot went over the goal. Final score was to the Rams, 0-10.          

Game 2: USA 1, Ontario East 4 

USA’s defensive unit began to gel on day 2 of the Canadian National Championship. At the end of the first quarter, the score was deadlocked 0-0. Ontario East continued aggressive play which resulted in a USA penalty stroke at the 24th minute mark. Alex Curtis (London, United Kingdom) converted to score the first USA goal in the CNC, 1-0. Ontario fought back and scored the equalizer on a corner leaving the scored tied at the end of the half, 1-1. Ontario maintained possession for the majority of the third quarter and was able to score a field goal at the 42nd minute mark and again on a penalty corner in the 47th minute’, increasing their lead to 1-3. USA allowed a goal early in the fourth quarter and then leaned in to their attack and began creating offensive opportunities. Both Spencer Walshaw (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) and Singh took multiple shots on goal with most going wide. USA had two penalty corner opportunities late in the fourth quarter but were unable to convert leaving the final score, 1-4.           

Game 3: USA 1, Ontario Central 2 (Quarterfinal)        

Play was more even in the opening frame with both teams attempting but unable to convert on penalty corners. Two Ontario players were issued green cards near the end of the first quarter but USA was unable to leverage the advantage as the score finished 0-0. At the beginning of the second quarter, USA’s penalty corner unit successfully denied Ontario another opportunity and goalkeeper Galvin Stuart (Old Saybrook, Conn.) got a glove on a shot and shut down the third penalty corner attempt. However, Ontario was able to convert on their fourth attempt i the 28th minute as well as five minutes later oa breakaway resulting in a 1v1 with the goalkeeper making it 0-2 to Ontario. Play moved up and down the field for the third frame with no change in score. USA attacked the fourth quarter with new energy and after repeated attempts to penetrate the circle, Michael Mendoza (Monument, Colo.) found an opening to Liam Hawley (Ventura, Calif.) on the right side of the circle. Hawley quickly slipped the ball to Jatin Sharma (South San Francisco, Calif.) who tuckde the ball behind the Ontario goalkeeper bringing the score to 1-2. The late rally was not enough to overcome the deficit as the final score stood.        

Game 4 – USA 3, BC Lions 4 (Consolation)

Using defensive principles to create offensive opportunities, USA opened this game and began shooting on goal in under two minutes. USA's goalkeeper Phil Schofield (Moorpark, Calif.) went on to successfully defend three penalty corners prior to Sharma making a run up the right line and passing the ball directly to Colin Hennessy (Marlborough, Mass.) who took the shot and put USA on the board in the ninth minute. Building momentum, Curtis delivered the ball directly through the center to Walshaw who shot across the goal and opened the lead to 2-0. USA decreased their intensity in the second quarter and the Lions were quick to even the score with two penalty corner goals in the 31st and 35th minutes respectively. Looking to pull ahead, USA earned two penalty corners and a drag flick from Curtis on the second attempt puts USA back in the lead, 3-2. The Lions promptly answered three minutes later to tie the game at the end of the third quarter. A final goal was scored for the Lions in the fourth quarter resulting in a 3-4 loss for USA. 

"To get to wear USA on their chest and compete in another country is a new environment and experience for some of these players," said Will Holt, U-18 USMNT Assistant Coach and USMNT Athlete. "The overall development from these players from the start of the tournament to now is far more significant than what goes on on the score board. The level of professionalism, willingness to learn and to be coached is the highest I’ve seen from this group. We are headed in the right direction."

For all information regarding the Canadian National Championship, including full schedule, rosters, news and more, check out the event page by clicking here.