Indoor USMNT Claims 2024 IPAC Bronze in Close Win Over Guyana

CALGARY, Canada – For the men’s 2024 Indoor Pan American Cup bronze medal, No. 9 U.S. Men’s National Indoor Team took on No. 33 Guyana. Similar to their previous meeting, USA had to withstand a late push from Guyana but capitalized when necessary for the 5-4 win.

Just 45 seconds into the contest, Ajai Dhadwal (Agoura Hills, Calif.) put USA ahead after scoring off a penalty corner. The Wolves held control with patience and earned a penalty corner in the 6th minute. Koehl Comiskey’s (Dallas, Pa.) shot went off the hip of Guyana goalkeeper Paul D’Andrade. The pace started to pick up and down the other way Guyana registered their first shot. With 1:30 to go, Lasse Nobereit (Koenigstein, Germany) found himself 1v1 with D’Andrade but couldn’t get a shot off before the defense recovered. Seconds later, a give-and-go combination between Kai Kokolakis (Melbourne, Fla.) and Kei Kaeppeler (Stuttgart, Germany) was finished by Kokolakis to extend it to 2-0.

At the start of the second frame, Guyana won a penalty corner and closed the margin when Tahrea Garnett deflected in a pass from Aroydy Branford. Guyana remained on the front foot for a period, producing three more circle entries, until USA fell into an offensive rhythm. The red, white and blue produced some dangerous looks, including shots Kaeppeler, Jack Weitzman (Fulton, Md.) and Kokolakis, but couldn’t add to their lead as the quarter closed 2-1.

Weitzman opened the third with a deflection that went just wide. In the 24th minute, Kaeppeler added his name after a diagonal run across the top of the defense and he put it into the top left corner. Guyana responded a minute later when Jamarj Assanah pushed it through goalkeeper Barry Merriman (Washington, D.C.) to make it 3-2.

The final period was tense and goal filled. In the 34th minute, a long ball got into the circle and Weitzman deflected it off a defender’s foot for the set piece. On the chance, Jeroen Dijkema (Houston, Texas) put it into the bottom right corner. Two minutes later, Kokolakis finished a square ball from Kaeppeler to make it 5-2. Guyana had a late push, scoring two penalty corner goals within a minute, both through Branford but the USA held on for the win and bronze medal.

For more information regarding the 2024 Indoor Pan American Cups, visit the event page.

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