U.S. Masters Conclude Play at 2024 MWH World Cup Auckland

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - The final two days of the 2024 World Masters Hockey (WMH) World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand saw close contests for the U.S. Masters Teams. The O-45 Men finished the highest in 7th, with the O-60 Men, O-50 Women and O-65 Women placing 8th and O-55 Men and O-60 Men ending in 9th.

In the crossover for the 5th-8th placement match, the O-60 Men met New Zealand. Rain poured down for the even match, but in similar fashion to their previous game, USA fell in the final two minutes.

The first half saw back and forth play, and concluded with both sides producing a few circle entries. The Black Sticks earned one penalty corner, but a majority of the play took place between the 25s.

A few minutes into the third, USA had a chance go unfinished as Ian Wagge (Scarborough, Maine) dumped a bouncing ball across the goalmouth and Jeremy Roberts (Beltsville, Md.) just missed getting a touch on it. Midway through the frame, New Zealand earned a set piece that was well read by USA goalkeeper Warren Prestich (Towson, Md.). Shortly after, the Black Sticks earned back-to-back penalty corners - Prestich made the stop on the first and a mistrapped ball at the top thwarted the second.

Action increased in the final quarter. New Zealand saw another set piece turned away as USA remained solid on defense. On the offensive end, the Golden Wolves struggled to connect on the final pass inside their attacking circle. With 2 minutes to go, the Black Sticks found the game winner on a well-executed set piece goal.

The O-55 Men faced Singapore in the 9th-10th place match. Due to inclement weather, the game was delayed for approximately 1.5 hours. Hoping to earn their first win of the tournament, USA had much time to mentally prepare for a tough game against Singapore. Prior to the start of the game, Coach Alan Golding (Washington, D.C.) and team captain Hugo Mazzalupi (Wayne, Pa.) provide the team with tactics that would guide the team to a positive outcome.

Once the rain receded, the teams took to the field to begin the contest. USA immediately went on the attack with great determination, eager to score. In the first quarter, the Golden Wolves played a more controlled game, holding off all of Singapore's offensive threats. However, in the second quarter, USA had multiple chances, causing Singapore to retreat to a defensive posture. Due to an agressive USA attack, two well-deserved goals were scored two minutes apart, one by forward Greg Pereira (Fulton, Md.) with a well placed penalty stroke and the other by midfielder Raj Goraya (Kent, Wash.) with a powerful direct shot on a penalty corner. At the 51-minute mark, Singapore was awarded a penalty corner, capitalizing by scoring their first and only goal of the game.
At the end of the game, USA celebrated with much fanfare applauding the wonderful fans for their immense support throughout the tournament. USA claimed 9th place with the 2-1 win.

In the 7th-8th place match, the O-45 Men took on Germany. An even contest, it was a true battle from start to finish. The opening frame saw a lot of action played in the midfield. A close chance came for USA in the 8th minute when DC Juneja (Clovis, Calif.) fired a ball into the circle that went off the Germany goalkeeper's pads, but no teammate was able to get the rebound. Moments later, the Golden Wolves persisted with a circle shot that went just wide. USA's defense remained solid, not allowing a positive entry.

After a few looks, USA finally capitalized on their second penalty corner of the quarter in the 26th minute when a give-and-go finished with Shawn Hindy (Moorpark, Calif.) scoring. Down the other way, USA goalkeeper Michael Caddy (Drake, Colo.) kicked away a push on frame and fended off a set piece to keep the 1-0 lead.

Ten minutes into the third quarter, Germany evened the score when a long ball was deflected in. Just 30 seconds inside the final period, USA earned a penalty corner but it was well defended by an on-rushing Germany goalkeeper. The Golden Wolves earned a set piece with 3 minutes to go and on the chance, Hindy converted low for the game winner. USA held on for the 2-1 win and claimed 7th place.

Although the O-65 Women dominated statistically in their 7th-8th match against Canada, they fell by a narrow 1-0 score. USA produced nine penalty corners to Canada's one, in which they scored on in the 4th minute.

That early goal would be enough to be the game decider and winner, as USA fell and claimed 8th.

The O-50 Women took on South Africa for the 7th-8th place in their age divsion.

South Africa opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Jax McKeown received it wide open in front of goalkeeper Jen Anderson (Owings Mills, Md.) and flipped it in. South Africa remained in their attacking end for the rest of the quarter, but without another goal.

Play resumed with South Africa in control until midway through when USA took it into their attacking end. Although persistent, the Golden Eagles couldn't break through their opponent's defense.

Following the halftime break, there were no real oppotunities for either side as both defensive lines remained solid.

To start the final quarter, USA earned back-to-back penalty corners but the pass back to the inserter was well read by the South Africa goalkeeper, forcing the ball out wide. In the 53rd minute, South Africa doubled their lead when they scored off a broken set piece. USA fell 2-0 to claim 8th.

In the 9th-10th place game, the O-60 Women took on Argentina and registered their first win of the tournament to claim 9th. It a very close contest that started off with a scoreless first quarter. In the 23rd minute, Christine Couteau (Skillman, N.J.) gave USA the lead off a give-and-go strike to the bottom left corner on a penalty corner.

Play was static for a long period, as the scoreline of 1-0 stayed in favor of the USA and didn't change until the 52nd minute. Off a set piece, Argentina tied the game by putting a rebound into the net.

Now an even match, the final minutes were down to the wire. USA showed resilience and grit, and after absorbing some Las Leonas attack, transitioned to their offensive end. With just 2 seconds on the clock, a quick free hit got into the circle and Karen Croteau (Harpswell, Maine) got the slightest touch on it for the 2-1 win.

For the third game in a row, the O-60 Men's results finished in heartbreaking fashion. After a static start, USA had a great chance with 5 minutes to go when a quick shot by Kewal Singh (Fairfield, Calif.) went inches wide. With 13 seconds to go before the quarter break, the Golden Wolves earned a penalty corner but couldn't find a result.

Continuing on the front foot, USA kept pushing and got the opening goal 2 minutes into the second frame off a set piece. The initial strike by Peter Jones (Stamford, Conn.) was stopped by a logging Malaysia goalkeeper but Singh was on the rebound and put it into the net. USA's lead held for 10 minutes before Malaysia converted off a penalty stroke. In the final minutes of the half, USA goalkeeper Warren Prestich (Townson, Md.) turned away a Malaysia penalty corner and made a great stop and stick clear on another attempt.

Tied 1-1 at the halftime break, both the third and fourth quarters saw some circle entries and close looks but the scoreline didn't change to force a shootout.

After the first round, USA held the 1-0 lead when Jones converted on a penalty stroke after a goalkeeper foul and Malaysia ran out of time. After a USA miss, Malaysia evened it at 1-1 in the second. In the third, Arif Siddiqui (Richmond, Texas) tallied for USA while Prestich made a great stop to make it 2-1. USA ran out of time in the fourth round, while Malaysia scored to bring it to 2-2. An unfortunate miss by Ian Wagge (Scarborough, Maine) in the final round and successful attempt by Malaysia concluded it at 2-3.

O-50 Women - 8th

O-60 Women - 9th

O-65 Women - 8th

O-45 Men - 7th

O-55 Men - 9th

O-60 Men - 8th

For more information on the WMH World Cup Auckland, including schedule, results, rosters and livestream information, check out the event page by clicking here.