World University Games Update: Women & Men Defeat France, Men Fall To Serbia
8/15/2011 12:00:00 AM
Shenzhen, China - August 15 - The 2011 World University Games roll along in Shenzhen, China and recent action has seen the Men's World University Games team fall to Serbia 8-2 and then rebound with a win over France 11-8. They complete group play at 2-1 and will likely meet Hungary in their next match. For the Women's World University Games team their most recent match was a 10-6 victory over France.
In the win over France the United States went up 3-2 after the first quarter and then found themselves tied at the half 4-4. They blew it open in the third and fourth quarter outscoring France 6-2 to come away winners 10-6. Amber Oland and Cassie Wyckoff combined in the cage for 8 saves. The United States went 5/10 on power plays and took advantage of a brutality call on France that allowed for a player advantage for a four minute stretch during the contest.
"The game was overly physical but we maintained our composure through out the contest. Our 5x6 defense and our offense was spectacular all four quarters," said USA Head Coach Matt Anderson.
For the men, their match against Serbia did not go as planned as they got down in the first half and couldn't recover. After a scoreless first quarter from both sides Serbia went up 4-0 in the second quarter. Up four goals in the third quarter the Serbs tacked on three more and were in front 7-0 going to the final period. From there the United States was able to add on two scores but too little, too late as Serbia came away the winners 8-2. Janson Wigo and Sage Wright were the goal scorers for the United States and Andy Stevens kept the match as close as it was with a stellar 21 saves. Team USA struggled on the power play going 1/12 and 0/1 on penalties. Serbia went 3/7 on power plays.
In the win over France the United States got their offense back on track with a stellar second half. A close match in the first half that saw France leading 3-2 after the first quarter and 7-6 at the half featured the United States exploding for five goals in the third quarter. Team USA used that five goal burst to take an 11-8 lead. The defenses would cancel each other out in the fourth quarter and the match would end 11-8 in favor of the United States.
JP MacDonnell scored a team high four goals while Janson Wigo and Matt Sagehorn each added two goals. Other scorers included Clayton Snyder, Drac Wigo, and Sage Wright. Chay Lapin posted another outstanding goalie effort for the United States with 17 saves including a blocked penalty shot. Team USA went 2/6 on power plays and 2/2 on penalties while France was 3/10 on power plays and 0/1 on penalties.
"The Serbians came at us as expected. A high powered offensive attack shifted our focus towards a concerted defensive effort. Our shortfall came with our inability to convert on the offensive opportunities we created for ourselves. Our effort against the French reaped success with a much higher shooting percentage. More importantly an outstanding defensive effort in the second half holding France to just one goal," said USA Head Coach Marc Hunt.
"We came off of a tough Serbia game very focused and committed to our game plan. This paid off in the second half against France where we controlled the game defensively," added Chay Lapin, USA Goalkeeper.
Scoring
USA 2 (0, 0, 0, 2) J. Wigo 1, S. Wright 1
SRB 8 (0, 4, 3, 1)
Saves - USA - A. Stevens 21
6x5 - USA 1/12 - SRB - 3/7
Penalties - USA 0/1 - SRB - 0/0
USA 11 (2, 4, 5, 0) J. MacDonnell 4, J. Wigo 2, M. Sagehorn 2, D. Wigo 1, C. Snyder 1, S. Wright 1
FRA 8 (3, 4, 1, 0)
Saves - USA - C. Lapin 17
6x5 - USA 2/6 - FRA - 3/5
Penalties - USA 2/2 - FRA - 0/1
National Teams