Moorpark, CA: After four long days of non-stop field hockey in the beautiful setting of Moorpark College, Cal Cup 2014 came to an end with two exciting finals resulting in two repeat winners and brilliant displays of skills on opposite ends of the field by two individuals; Michel Nallely Navarro Hernandez and David Carter.
Michel Navarro Hernandez started her 3 goal onslaught in the Women’s Super Division final on a two on one break with Aleexis Morales for 1-0 lead at the 12 minute mark. Soon after, Dani Hemeon responded for Caliwood on a penalty corner to level things at 1-1. Teammate Amy Kelsey gave the lead to Caliwood on a fine run from right at the 38 minute. However, Mexico came right back as Navaro Hernandez sored her second goal in the next minute, tapping a bouncing ball over the head of Caliwood goalkeeper, Halch Nourani much to the delight of Mexican fans and we’re levelled at 2-2. This seemed to put the Mexican offence into another gear with more frequent forays into the Caliwood circle. Alissa Campos threaded a needle through the middle to a streaking Navarro Hernandez for a breakaway goal at the 54th minute mark for a 3-2 lead and two minutes later Jazel Arieth Miranda added an insurance goal to make it 4-2 sealing the fate of 2013 runner-up’s once again to second place.
Mexico last won the tournament in 2011. The hat trick by Navarro Hernandez gave her a tournament leading 8 goals.
Earlier Jolie Pitts defeated Rick’s Chicks 3-0 for third place on the strength of 2 goals by Tiffany Snow.
Mexico: Beatriz Edith Guzman, Mitzi Mara Aguilera, Marlet Cristina Correa, Arely Castellanos, Karen Itzel Orozco, Leticia Ramirez, Daniela Estefania Orozco, Hector Ruiz Aide Martinez, Selma Astrid Flores, Jazel Arleth Salazar, Dafne Danae Carmona, Michel Nallely Navarro Hernandez, Jennifer Aida Valdes, Cindy Paola Correa, Paulina Campos, Montserrat Inguanzo (GK), Aleexis Morales, Ana Isabel Juarez
Caliwood: Courtney Hazy, Sydney Earle, Claire Dougherty, Deanna Kennedy, Andrea Earle, Erin Magill, Kelsey Amy, Jen Long, Monica Marrazzo, Kristen Lee, Jordan O’reilly, Clemence Couteau, Michaela Swensen, Dani Hemeon, Haleh Nourani (GK), Hannah Allison, Lisa Lohre
Umpires: Suzi Sutton (USA), Keely Dun (Canada)
In the Men’s Super Division final that followed, it was sweet revenge for San Jose Khalsa as they shut out the Bulldogs 2-0 thus avenging their pool play 4-2 loss from Friday. Amarpreet (Nanu) Sidhu scored late in the first half for a 1-0 lead and Scott Tupper added his goal late in the game to make it 2-0. However, it was once again David Carter’s heroics that made the difference and just like the semifinal, the acrobatic goalkeeper from Canada stood his ground stopping everything that was sent his way including 8 penalty corners consisting of numerous rebounds. And, just like the LA Tigers on Sunday, the Bulldogs had no answer for Carter’s brilliance. Khalsa last won this tournament in 2002.
LA Tigers took third place over Montauk Sharks with a 6-2 result thanks to 3 goals by Poka Montoyo Francisco and 2 goals bty Tyler Sundeen. Manny Martinez had the two goals for the Sharks.
San Jose Khalsa: Asavir S. Kalla, David Carter (GK), Harnek S. Sandhar, Harpreet S. Virdi, Mark Pearson, Nico Mawing, Amarpreet (Nanu) S. Sidhu, Kanwarpreet (Kam) S. Sidhu, Pedro Magalhaes, Ramandeep S. Sandhu, Richard Hildreth, Scott Tupper, Sunny S. Aujla, Tajinderjit (Tj) S. Bamrah, Paul Stahl
Bulldogs: Jon Ginolfi, Binh Hoang, Brian Schledorn, Ryan Langford, Ruben Wyld, Tommy Hoang, Kevin Barber, Alan Scally, Ian Scally, Patrick Cota, Colin Scally, Shawn Nakamura, Todd Robinson, Andrew Zayac (GK), Ben Maruquin, Chris Vezina, Andrew Thomas, Lachlan Glen
Umpires: Gus Soteriades (USA), James Stewart (Australia)
Michel Nallely Navarro Hernandez and Scott Tupper shared the honors for the Ross Rutledge Award. Both finished the tournament with 8 goals each.
Congratulations to 2014 Cal Cup Tournament Committee and everyone involved for once again doing a superb job hosting this excellent international field hockey tournament despite all the challenges. This also includes providing an excellent team of international umpires under the leadership of Tony Morales of Spain for the Super Divisions. Veteran umpires Saleem Aaron (USA), Keely Dunn (Canada), Suzi Sutton (USA), Gus Soteriades (USA) were well supported by Benjamin Peters, Grant Hundley, Lance Sarabia (USA), Lelia Sacre, Meghan McClennan (Canada), James Stewart (Australia), Maria Querejeta (Argentina) and Jamar Springer (Barbados).
The 43rd edition of one of the oldest and largest the field hockey tournaments in the world, more popularly known as the Cal Cup, featured a record 152 teams from Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, and the USA, consisting of over 2,600 athletes competing in 14 divisions ranging from Mixed Under-8 to Men/Women Super Divisions at Moorpark College and Arroyo Vista Community Park. For the first time a team from Hawaii also competed at Cal Cup.
When asked if he is surprised that the Cal Cup is still going strong and getting bigger each year, Tom Harris, said; “the success of Cal Cup is a testament of everyone’s commitment, especially the tournament volunteers and the organizing committee.” The 78 year old tournament founder, who will be playing at the World Cup Masters next month, continued: “We had a record 152 teams entered this year and our aim is to grow this number to 200 teams in the near future. We have been talking to Moorpark College to see how they can accommodate us.”
For a complete list of all 2014 Cal Cup winners, final standings and Super Division Match Reports, please visit www.calcup.com.
