Moorpark, CA: After four long days of non-stop field hockey under perfect weather conditions in the beautiful setting of Moorpark College, LA Tigers and Jolie Pitts emerged as the big winners of the 2013 California Cup tournament on Memorial Day. Both teams received the $5,000 prize money for the Super Division titles at the 42nd edition of this premier international field hockey tournament.
The Tigers defeated SBDS Sports Academy from Sacramento 4-1 thanks to three goals by Ryan Sundeen. In a rematch of pool play, when both teams played to a 2-2 tie, Sundeen scored the first two goals and the last one. Rob Short was the other scorer for LA, getting his goal on a penalty stroke. Jags Gill scored the lone goal for the Sports Academy. A much better game was expected from the Sacramento team. However, after an aggressive start, they began to fall apart when they felt a few umpire decisions went against them. They had plenty of chances but failed to convert them and started to play dirty. Which is a shame as this could have been a great final. It didn’t end there as a number of Sports Academy players directed abusive language towards the umpires after the match ended.
Two time champions Camarillo Cougars took third place over Mexico on goals by Andy Thornton and Will Holt.
Earlier in the women’s final Jolie Pitts prevailed over Caliwood 2-1. Veteran Jesse Gey’s shot from the right of the circle in the 14th minute gave the defending champions a 1-0 lead. A deflection into her own goal by a Caliwood defender on a ball from outside the circle in the second half made it 2-0 for Jolie Pitts. A poorly attempted penalty stroke by Gey and a few other missed chance by her teammates kept it a two goal margin that was later reduced to one goal as Jennifer Rose broke the ice for Caliwood.
Ricks Chicks easily defeated Alberta FHC for third place on goals by Alex Zeringue, Liz Sanders and Molly Powers.
Ryan Sundeen’s brother Tyler won the Ross Rutledge award for being the top goal scorer with six goals in the entire Super Division.
Congratulations to 2013 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 Umpire Manager Sumesh Putra of Canada for the Super Divisions. Veteran umpires Saleem Aaron (USA), Adrian Robledo (Argentina), Neil Smith, (UK) were well supported by Benjamin Peters, Grant Hundley, Joost Douwes, Lance Sarabia (USA), Lelia Sacre (Canada), Alisha Williams (Australia) and Jamar Springer (Barbados).
The 42nd 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 150 teams from Canada, England, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, and the USA, consisting of over 2,600 athletes competing in 13 divisions ranging from Mixed Under-8 to Men/Women Super Divisions at Moorpark College and Arroyo Vista Community Park.
For a complete list of all 2013 Cal Cup winners, final standings and Super Division Match Reports, please visit www.calcup.net.
