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ZAGREB, Croatia - The U.S. U-18 Men's National Team returned home from a summer tour in Zagreb, Croatia, where they played four friendly matches against the host nation.
Competition began on July 15 in a high scoring match. The Junior Wolves started quick and opened the scoring in the fourth minute when captain Jack Weitzman (Fulton, Md.) converted on a penalty corner. USA held the advantage through the first quarter, but Croatia evened the game 5 minutes into the second frame. The hosts took the lead in the 27th minute to see the Junior Wolves trailing 1-2 at the halftime break.
Croatia broke through in the third period, tallying three goals to take a commanding 5-1 lead. This didn't stop USA from cutting the margin in the 51st minute on an open field goal from Ethan Reynolds (Moorpark, Calif.). Although the hosts added one more in the game, the Junior Wolves finished with a penalty stroke conversion from Jovan Bains (San Jose, Calif.) in the final minute, falling by a final score of 3-6.
The second match on July 17 was a tighter contest which finished in a 2-2 tie. Scoreless through the first frame, it was USA who got on the board first in the 23rd minute when Bains scored off a penalty corner. The Junior Wolves held the 1-0 lead into halftime and added another at the end of the third period from Reynolds. Croatia rallied from behind to score twice in the final quarter for the draw. The first came in the 52 minute off a set piece and then five minutes later on a field goal.
A day later, they were back in action for their third meeting, and this match saw a similar trend to the previous day. USA started on the front foot, scoring two goals in the opening frame. Reynolds notched his third of the series off a penalty corner in the 5th minute and four minutes later, Kethan Labana (Mountain View, Calif.) tallied a field goal. Croatia added one back in the final minute to bring the first quarter score to 2-1, USA. The Junior Wolves were unable to capitalize on any opportunities the rest of the game as Croatia came from behind to put up three more goals - two set pieces and a field goal - as USA dropped the third contest 2-4.
In the final game of the tour on July 20, the Junior Wolves jumped to a quick lead when Chenmay Komandur (Danville, Calif.) scored off a penalty corner in the 3rd minute. This was short lived as Croatia tallied 2 minutes later and then took the lead in the 12th minute off a set piece. In the 17th minute, Bains evened the game at 2-2 when he scored his third of the series. With a minute to go before the halftime break, USA took the lead when Labana scored a field goal to make it 3-2. Croatia evened the score 2 minutes into the fourth while the Junior Wolves were unable to convert for the 3-3 draw.
For more information, visit the U-18 USMNT Croatia Tour Event Page.
