Team USA Hits Stride In Northwest All-Star Exhibition

Seattle WA- Team USA made it's last stop before heading off to compete in the U-19 World Championships in Coquitlam, B.C.  The turf was nearly 100 degrees, USA played their fifth and final all-star team in the Northwest All-Stars.  The final score may not have been indicative of the pace of the game, but after putting up 21 points in the 21-2 anhilation, team USA found the cohesive bond they needed in preparation for the upcoming World Games. 

Matt Dolante (JHU) and Ben York (Bowdoin) took first face off of the game, as Dolente set his pace at the face-off X for the day with a win, before settling the ball down and running offense.  Almost immediately Montoya blocks a shot from the inside for his first save of the day. The NW All Stars struggles to clear the ball.  Finally, in the 15^th minute Ryan Young finds Andrew Feinberg for a lefty ripper past Montoya making the score 1-0 USA. a few minutes later in an end line restart, Craig Dowd drove unassisted and puts one in for USA after twisting up his defensemen. USA's pressure defense led by Fallon and Costible disrupt the Northwest offense and force multiple turnovers enabling Tim Donovan the time to run and gun unassisted from up top making it 3-0.  In a broken clear, USA intercepts a pass and Craig Dowd's shot is somehow saved by Montoya and he gets it in the hands of Chris Taylor (GU) who snipes a goal from up top for the first and last goal for the Northwest all-stars this half who have been stifled to this point by Team USA.

and fired shot after shot at Northwest's Montoya who made two great goal line stops on two doorstep shots. USA’s Rhamel Bratton rips a heater from outside near the restraining line scoring the  fourth for USA and opened up the rest of the game for USA as Anthony Mendes drove in attempting a crease dive.  Adam Ghitleman wasn't challenged much on the day, making only 8 saves, but a key one on Chris Taylor turning his shot into Team USA transition.  Ryan Young finds Matt Mackrides in a fast break to torch another goal past the Northwest team as team USA’s offense begins to click.  topping the score in the first quarter, Ryan Young assists Tim Donovan taking advantage of an extra man opportunity. Donovan scored two of his three goals in the first, and Ryan Young's 3 assists would show Team USA has a scoring midfield as well as a potent attack. 

USA’s Matt Mackrides hits Josh Abidan for their 7th goal of the day. getting some time to work out the man-up kinks with quick ball movement. On another USA transition Jack McBride fakes out Montoya tallying the 8^th goal of the game. Sloppy play on NW side turns the ball over and Dean Gibbons hits top right unassisted. USA gains possession again works it around finding good looks and then Dean Gibbons once again finishes for USA’s 10^th goal. Another failed clear attempt Jack McBride picks up a deflected pass and scores one on one. NW still has trouble finding an offense and Craig Dowd scores one from James Green. USA will regain possession again and burn time and Ryan Young hits Andrew Feinberg for the last goal of the half. 

Halftime score U-19 13 and NW 1. The story of the game has been the face off domination by Matt Dolante. USA’s goals are coming from everywhere. 

The U-19 open the second half at a slower pace with a goal from Andrew Feinberg assisted by Ryan Young. NW is finding some offensive looks. Tyler Fiorito takes over the cage for USA replacing Adam Ghitleman. Rhamel Bratton once again slings a ripper past outside making it the USA’s 15^th goal. NW gets a penalty for slashing giving USA and EMO and Craig Dowd scores from a feed from Ryan Young. NW’s offense struggles to find good shots as the USA’s defense seems to have them all over the field. 

Possession is traded for the first 3 minutes of play fo the final quarter, until Dean Gibbons tallies the 17^th goal for USA. Right off the next face off, Tim Donovan rips another for USA unassisted. Dolante gets a fast break off the face off and Montoya makes a great point blank save. Off the ensuing face off Bryan Gilbreath runs it down and scores against Fiorito. USA forces more turnovers resulting in a fast break where Craig Dowd finds James Green for number 19.  The next face off goes USA’s way and Nick Elsmo takes it in for the 20^th goal of the game for USA. Joel White caps the scoring with the 21st goal running with a shorty instead of a long pole to close the game out.