Indoor USMNT Registers Opening IPAC Win Over Guyana

CALGARY, Canada – To start their 2024 Indoor Pan American Cups journey, the No. 9 U.S. Men’s National Indoor Team took on No. 33 Guyana. An action packed contest, USA held the halftime lead and withstood Guyana’s late push for the 5-3 win.

The first quarter saw both teams register two shots on four circle penetrations. It was USA who took the lead and capitalized on one of those chances in the 3rd minute when Ajai Dhadwal (Agoura Hills, Calif.) converted into the net off a penalty corner. USA was threatened by back-to-back green cards in the 5th and 6th minutes but held Guyana’s attack silent. The quarter closed with USA leading 1-0.

The pace continued in the second frame with circle to circle action. Midway through Guyana tested USA’s defense and goalkeeper Barry Merriman (Washington, D.C.) with three shots in a row, with the final one hitting the post. The Wolves responded on the attack, and capitalized when a loose pass out of Guyana’s defense went right to Jeroen Dijkema (Houston, Texas) at the top of the circle who finished. Guyana closed the half with a penalty corner chance that rung off the top left crossbar.

Guyana started fast in the third quarter, putting USA on their heels. After finding themselves at a disadvantage following a quick card, the Wolves sat in a deep press for a period to absorb Guyana’s threats. After back to full strength, Dijkema ran it down the right board and threaded it through to Jack Weitzman (Fulton, Md.) who extended USA’s lead in the 23rd minute and registered his first career indoor goal. Guyana added one back when Shaquon Favorite scored off a USA turnover. With 18 seconds to go, Dhadwal tallied his second penalty corner goal to close the quarter at 4-1.

The Wolves continued with the front foot momentum and 33 seconds into the final frame earned a set piece. Dhadwal got a quick shot off and initially the official called a penalty stroke for hitting a defender on the line, but after a conversation with the other official it was deemed dangerous. USA continued to threaten and added to their lead in the 34th minute when Dhadwal registered his hat trick, again scoring off a penalty corner. A minute later, Guyana cut the margin when Aroydy Branford scored into the net off a set piece. On the post-goal restart, Guyana pulled their goalkeeper and used the final minutes to push and put USA under pressure. After a 2-minute USA yellow card, Guyana earned four penalty corners in a row and off the final attempt, Branford made it 5-3. The Wolves held on to secure the win.

Today’s contest marked career milestones for Jeroen Dijkema who played in his first international indoor cap for Team USA.

The USA men have two games tomorrow, March 20. First against No. 17 Trinidad and Tobago at 3:45 p.m. ET and then No. 11 Argentina at 8:15 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the full event live pay-per-view on Watch.Hockey. 

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

#IPAC2024

All photographs appearing on this site are property of USA Field Hockey, Pan American Hockey Federation and Kyle Breckenridge.They are protected by the U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded, reproduced or used in any way without written permission of USA Field Hockey, Pan American Hockey Federation and Kyle Breckenridge.

If you are a college SID, club coach, sponsor or media outlet, email communications@usafieldhockey.com.