By Jawwad Qamar
May 30, Moorpark, CA: After four busy days of field hockey in the beautiful setting of Moorpark College, Camarillo Cougars and Mexico women were the big winners of the 2011 California Cup on Memorial Day. Both champions received the $5,000 prize money that went along with the Super Division titles at the 40th edition of this premier international field hockey tournament. The Cougars denied Ciudad de Buenos Aires a fourth title beating them 5-2 while the Mexico shut out defending Champions Rush’d 3-0.
After a brilliant penalty corner goal, high under the crossbar, by Juan Pablo Correa for three time champions Ciudad de Buenos Aires in the sixth minute, the Camarillo Cougars went on a rampage, scoring five goals. Roderik Huber from the Netherlands started the onslaught beating three Buenos Aires defenders including the goal keeper with the first of his three goals, to level score at 1-1 much to the delight of a large appreciative crowd. Patrick Harris got into the act by putting in a rebound off the goal keeper’s pad on the initial penalty corner attempt by Huber at the 47th minute to give the Cougars a 2-1 lead. Huber followed on a beautiful run from 40 yards, slamming the ball just inside the circle to increase the lead to 3-1 in the next minute and two minutes later adds his third goal for 4-1 score. Steve Mann closed out the scoring for the Cougars in the 62 minute for an insurmountable 5-1 lead. A penalty corner goal in the 67th minute by Juan Pablo Correa made the final score 5-2. As the final buzzer sounded the celebrations began for the home team and their fans.
“I played in 20 Cal Cups, this is my first title.” Said a very happy Cougar captain Binh Hoang after the game. “So I am pretty excited.”
Mexico took third place over LA Tigers 3-2. With scored leveled at 2-2 Miguel Angel Leon Gamez scored the winner on a penalty corner in the last minute disappointing many in the crowd who were hoping to see a penalty shoot out.
Camarillo Cougars: Ginolfi, Jon; Hoang, Binh; Thornton, Andy; Langford, Ryan; Harris, Patrick; Martin, Jarred; Wiese, Rutger; Mann, Steve; Scally, Ian; Cota, Patrick; Holt, Will; Nakamura, Shawn; Huber, Roderik; Renaer, Nicolas; Havenga, Martijn; Zayac, Andrew(GK)
Buenos Aires: Nocetti, Pablo (GK); Dinardo, Andres; Masjuan, Sebastian; Callioni, Facundo; Pablo Correa, Juan; Manes, Ignacio; D'Adamo, Martin; Martins, Nicolas; Blasco, Baustista; Oscaris, Fernando; Edreira, Gaston; Martogolio, Lucas; Coltrinari, Juan Martin; Ratto, Diego; Martinez, Gonzalo; Paz, Diego
Umpires: Andy Higgins (UK), Sascha Sohns (Germany)
The Women’s Super Division saw a young Mexico team crush the veteran Rush’d 3-0, denying them a “threepeat.” Margarita Paredes Rodriguez combined with Cristina Correa and Michel Nallely Navarro Hernandez from the left of the circle to give Mexico 1-0 lead in the 11th minute. With Mexico threatening constantly, a take down of Paredes Rodriguez inside the circle made umpire McLennan to signal for a penalty stroke that was easily converted by Navarro Hernandez for 2-0 lead in the 27th minute. In the 64th minute, Navarro Hernandez stripped the ball away from Amy Gallo’s stick and went in uncontested with Viridiana Monserrat Ugalde Jasso to her left, drew the keeper out, passing the ball to Ugalde Jasso for Mexico’s final goal.
Third place went to Monarcas on penalty shoot out 3-0. The match ended tied at 2-2 in regulation.
Mexico: Correa, Cristina; Gonzalez Moreno, Siania; Correa, Guadalupe; Patricia Fuentes Castelo, Diana; Escobar Garcia, Eloisa; Bianchi Arechiga, Mireya; Nallely Navarro Hernandez, Michel; Paredes Rodriguez, Margarita; Sanchez Revilla, Jessica; Vianney Camacho Moreno, Lesly; Adriana Figueroa Valdez, Francisca; Ahidee Castillo Marin, Jesus (GK); Arleth Salazar Miranda, Jazel; Sujei Chandeck Rodriguez, Ingrid; Astrid Flores Ladron, Selma; Monserrat Ugalde Jasso, Viridiana
Rush’d: Faith, Heidi; Hull, Mary; Campos, Vianney; Lennington, Ashley; Thomas, Kat; York, Kellie; Cicchi, Meghan; Bistue, Carolina; Gallo, Amy; Scally, Jackie; Perkins, Sarah; McDavitt, Tina; Cook, Sandra; Dedman, Jill; McCurdy, Caitlin; Orr, Kerri (GK)
Umpires: Emma Simmons (Bermuda), Meghan McLennan (Canada)
While the Men’s Super division included eight teams competing in two pools, the Women’s Super division this year only consisted of five teams competing in round robin play. Women’s Super division was severely hampered by the USHFA’s decision to hold Women’s national championships to select a national team only eight days ahead of the 40th anniversary of Cal Cup tournament. Many feel that by scheduling Women’s national championships just eight days before the Cal Cup, especially when everyone knew this prestigious tournament was reaching a milestone – the 40th anniversary, showed a lack of class and “we don’t care attitude” by the sports national governing body.
"In February FIH gave USA a spot in the Champions Challenge to be held in Dublin in June. We had to select a team. We had no choice, we’re in a tough spot, Terry [Terry Walsh, Technical Director of High Performance] and Lee [Lee Bodimeade, Women's National Team Coach] looked at all other options.” Said Steve Locke, Executive Director of the USFHA.
“We embrace this tournament,” continued Locke. We had no choice, but it will not happen again.” We’ll be sanctioning this tournament in the future. Availability of the venue was an issue, its graduation time in many universities. All these reasons contributed to having this so close to the Cal Cup.”
However, many at Cal Cup are not buying Locke’s explanation and believe that not all was done to avoid the scheduling conflict. “Something could have been done, said one fan. “They knew it was the 40th anniversary for the tournament. If there is a will there is a way but they really don’t care about hockey.”
One can understand the feelings of Cal Cup fans – after all, this tournament has done more to grow the sport of field hockey in America than any other organization and this includes the USFHA!
During the awards ceremony, California Cup and its founder Tom Harris were recognized by the Pan American Hockey Federation. Derek Sandison, Treasurer PAHF, presented Tom with a commemorative plaque from the PAHF President and Board of Directors. Interestingly, Derek remembers playing in the 1976 Cal Cup.
Congratulations to Cal Cup 2011 Tournament Committee and every one involved for once again doing a thankless 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 Ray O’Connor from Ireland. Veteran umpires Sumesh Putra, Keely Dunn, Adrian Robledo, Saleem Aaron, Andy Higgins, John Ward and Emma Simmons were well supported by Meghan McLennan, John Ward, Neil Smith, Rodney Thornton and Sascha Sohns.
“California Cup is organized by a team of dedicated volunteers and is sustained by their undying passion to grow field hockey in America,” said Billie Ahluwalia, Tournament Chair. “We are grateful to all players, officials, and volunteers for making the 40th anniversary of Cal Cup memorable.”
There was a 4-way tie for the Ross Rutledge Award for tournament’s high scorer. Michel Nallely Navarro Hernandez, Juan Pablo Correa, Roderik Huber and Patrick Harris all finished with 8 goals each.
For a complete list of all Cal Cup 2011 winners and final standings, please visit www.calcup.net.
