TORONTO, Canada - July 23, 2018 - After playing five games in the U-18 Men's division, the U.S. U-18 Men's National Team turned right around to compete in the U-23 Canadian National Championship. Playing more than two age divisions up, USA went into the games wanting to make the most of the experience against more experienced opponents. 

"Really proud of the effort put forth by the boys in the first two games of pool play as they transitioned from the U-18 to U-23 age group," said Alex Grassi, U-18 USMNT Head Coach and USMNT Athlete. "They showed a lot of grit, stuck to the game plan and played very disciplined hockey. The matches have been very competitive and the team has responded positively to the higher quality of their opponents."

Game 1: USA 1, Ontario Red 3

The U-18 USMNT put in their first appearance in the U-23 Men's Division of the Canadian National Championship at the University of Toronto on Friday evening against a heavily favored home team - Ontario Red. While the final tally was 3-1 in favor of Ontario, USA put out one of their best defensive efforts and showed tremendous discipline from a young squad.

After playing the fifth-place game in the U-18 Men’s Division in the morning, USA rolled into their sixth game in four days to start their U-23 pool play on Friday. It looked like it might be a long night for USA when Ontario Red marked their first field goal from Britto Royasten under two minutes into the game. However, USA reset and maintained defensive principles. In the final minute of the first quarter, USA was awarded a penalty corner and amidst the rush of defenders at the goal, Michael Mendoza (Monument, Colo.) was able to come up with the ball and pushed it past the goalkeeper’s feet to bring the USA even with Ontario Red at the end of the first period, 1-1.

USA continued to stay focused on defense and began to work toward building offensive opportunities. Ontario Red’s press was persistent throughout the second and third quarters, earning two penalty corners, but only able to come up with one goal field goal again by Royasten in over 40 minutes of play to make the score 1-2.

In the final period, USA maintained their composure but in the third and final attempt, Ontario Red succeeded in converting on a penalty corner when Lyle Fernandes roofed the ball into goal over the downed goalkeeper. The final score was USA 1, Ontario Red 3.     

Game 2: USA 2, Ontario White 5

The U-18 USMNT took the pitch again on Saturday morning in their second game of pool play in the U-23 Men’s Division of the Canadian National Championship. Ontario White was first to get on the scoreboard with a penalty corner conversion by Joshua Kuempel in the 7th minute followed by a field goal by Rohan Chopra in the 9th minute. With only 30 seconds left in the first period, USA’s Gerald Cutone (Reading, Mass.) sent a quick pass to Puneet Singh (San Jose, Calif.) who received it on his backhand, switched to his forehand and got the shot off before Ontario White's goalkeeper could react. This left USA trailing by one at the end of the first quarter, 1-2.

USA and Ontario White were evenly matched throughout the second period. In the last minute of play, Ontario White's Kuempel again converted on a penalty corner to extend their lead to 1-3.

USA returned to the pitch after the half with renewed focus and earned a penalty corner in the first minute. The shot was blocked by a post player’s body and USA was awarded a penalty stroke. Alex Curtis (London, United Kingdom) took the stroke for USA and scored to cut the deficit to 2-3. While USA earned two subsequent penalty corners, they were unable to convert. Ontario White notched two more field goals in the third quarter, one from Sharan Gill and a second from Chopra to bring the score to 2-5.

The final frame was scoreless and marked by even play with USA’s corner unit successfully defending two additional attempts by Ontario White. The final score stood at USA 2, Ontario White 5.

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