Indoor USMNT Holds Off Trinidad & Tobago for Second Win of 2024 IPAC

CALGARY, Canada – The No. 9 U.S. Men’s National Indoor Team faced a tough opponent in their second game of the 2024 Indoor Pan American Cups when they faced No. 18 Trinidad and Tobago. After finishing the first half tied, the second was action packed but USA never trailed to hold on for the 4-3 win.

The Wolves’ game plan was patience, and only threatened forward when the opportune moment arose. In the 3rd minute, Ajai Dhadwal (Agoura Hills, Calif.) was on the right baseline and perfectly placed a ball through the defense that Christian DeAngelis (Doylestown, Pa.) collected and put into the top left corner of the goal. USA maintained possession for the remainder of the frame to hold the 1-0 lead.

Two minutes into the second quarter, Trinidad capitalized on quick passing off the left board that got to Mickell Pierre who put it into the bottom right corner to equalize the score. Midway through, DeAngelis almost tallied his second, but his shot hit the post. As time ticked down before the break, Trinidad saw a few looks after breaking through USA’s deep press, but the score remained unchanged at 1-1.

USA came out with pace in the third and earned a penalty corner 1-minute into the quarter. Unfortunately, the set piece was called off by the official for the inserter breaking the line before the start. That didn’t stop the Wolves and seconds later, Koehl Comiskey (Dallas, Pa.) received it in the left corner, spun around and tucked it past Trinidad goalkeeper Ron Alexander. Two minutes later, Shaquille Daniel tested goalkeeper Barry Merriman (Washington, D.C.) forcing him to make a baseline save. Trinidad kept pushing and earned back-to-back penalty corners and on the second chance, Merriman came up with a great standing save. In the 28th minute, Comiskey utilized a fast break to set Adam Miller (Panama City, Fla.) up for a fast goal to make it 3-1. This margin was short lived as immediately following Trinidad added one back on a penalty corner scramble through Pierre.

The energy continued into the fourth quarter and in the 32nd minute, Jack Weitzman (Fulton, Md.) gave USA a two goal cushion. This lead didn’t last long as two minutes later, Trinidad’s Tariq Marcano put one past Merriman’s right shoulder to make it 4-3. With 22 seconds to go, Trinidad almost found the equalizer when the initial shot hit off the post and then Merriman followed up with the save. USA held on for the 4-3 win.

The USA men are back in action this evening against 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.

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