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VIENNA, Austria – The No. 10 U.S. Men’s National Indoor Team took on No. 22 Croatia for bronze at the 2025 Rohrmax Cup in Vienna, Austria. An action packed game, USA battled back late in the fourth and went ahead with 2 minutes to go. Croatia immediately responded to even it and found the game winner with just 16 seconds to go. USA’s effort fell short in the 7-8 loss.
"This was a very challenging week that asked a lot of the group here in Austria to perform with minimal preparation," said Pat Cota, Indoor USMNT Head Coach, following the event. "We are happy with the progress that was made on and off the court, especially with the introduction of several new players into the indoor squad. Their inclusion and addition to the group, combined with the experience of some of our veteran players, has been a positive experience that will aid both indoor and outdoor programs for USA Field Hockey moving forward. We are grateful to Hockey Austria and SV Arminen for continuing to exhibit an amazing indoor experience at the Rohrmax Cup."
Additional thanks to USA Field Hockey and the Men’s Foundation for supporting the growth of the USA Men’s Indoor Program.
Two minutes into the contest, Croatia got on the board after capitalizing on a fast break opportunity. Action was back-and-forth for majority of the middle portion of the period, before Croatia added to their lead, 0-2, with a minute to go before the break.
USA added one back in the 12th minute after Kei Kaeppeler (Stuttgart, Germany) dished it to Christian DeAngelis (Doylestown, Pa.) for the strong finish. A minute later, the Wolves earned a penalty stroke after a set piece attempt by Aki Kaeppeler (New York City, N.Y.) went off the post player’s foot. He stepped up and converted to even the score at 2-2. Croatia regained the lead in the 18th minute, scoring on a hard reverse flick into the far corner. USA kept threatening and with 10 seconds to go before halftime, A. Kaeppeler tied the game, 3-3, off a set piece.
Croatia tallied three in the third, to put themselves ahead. The first came in the 23rd minute off a penalty corner. Next, 5 minutes later, an individual run was finished into the top right of the net. With just 23 seconds to go before the break, they scored into the far corner. USA found themselves trailing 3-6 heading into the final frame.
USA cut the margin 2 minutes into the fourth when K. Kaeppeler scored off a penalty corner. Now down two goals, the Wolves upped their offensive pressure. With 5 minutes to go, both teams pulled their goalkeepers for the extra on-court player. Inside that same minute and after bringing the goalkeepers on for the plays, both sides saw penalty strokes sent wide. The red, white and blue continued to push and in the 36th minute brought it within one when K. Kaeppeler scored off a set piece. A minute later, Quintin Schlatmann (Amsterdam, Netherlands) evened it at 6-6 scoring a low angled shot into an open net. USA took the lead for the first time in the contest with 2 minutes remaining through Marius Leser (Mannheim, Germany). That was short lived as Croatia immediately responded to make it 7-7. With just 16 seconds to go, Croatia found the game winner as USA fell 7-8.
Cota concluded with, "Additional thanks to USA Field Hockey and the U.S. Men’s Foundation for supporting the growth of the U.S. Men's National Indoor Team."
For more information on the 2025 Rohrmax Cup, visit the event page.
