Press
Shredders and Rye repeat on “Big Apple Hockey Festival Day” proclamation by New York’s
Mayor Bloomberg
By Jawwad Qamar
New York, Sept 3, 2007: On a weather perfect Labor Day, that was also proclaimed “Big Apple Hockey Festival Day” in the city by New York’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the 2001 & 2003 champions Washington Shredders and defending champion Rye took the honors again with cash prize and the Mayor’s trophy.
The veteran Shredders defeated Big Apple HC on sudden death penalty strokes when the women’s final ended leveled at 1-1 in regulation. After a lackluster scoreless first half, the paced picked up as finals MVP Emily Townsend stole the ball at the right, just outside the circle, pulling Big Apple’s goalkeeper Jozann Jackson out and slotting the ball far left into an empty net for a 1-0 lead, five minute into the second half. However, Big Apple responded right back and during a penalty corner Lauren Byrne flicked the ball in, after Leslie King’s initial attempt hit the right post, to tie the score. During sudden death penalty strokes, Big Apple’s first attempt was saved by Lauren Hill while Townsend went high to the upper left corner for the title.
Emily Townsend was also the Shredders hero earlier in the semifinals scoring the lone goal over the University of Guelpha from Canada. The other semifinal saw Big Apple HC upset the favorites Malvern USA who were going for a threepeat, 2-1, on sudden death penalty strokes after 1-1 tie in regulation. This defeat was a big shocker for the defending champions who dominated the preliminary round winning all six matches and scoring 23 goals.
The men’s final between Rye and 2005 champions Toronto Lions was a rematch of the of the early morning pool match easily won by the Lions 5-1. But this time Rye shocked the Lions 1-0 for their second straight championship. Toronto have no one but themselves to blame for this loss, playing disciplined hockey for a change, the Canadians however let 16 penalty corners slip away while Rye made most of their only two chances. Forward Sukhi Sandhu scored a beautiful goal through the middle on his team’s second shot on goal a minute before the half. Rye’s international cast of walking wounded was well lead by the finals deserving MVP Patrick Stutz in the middle who also setup Sandhu’s goal and that ageless wonder Peter Jones in defense.
Rye was really fortunate to be playing for the championship – after losing their last two pool matches to Toronto Lions and HC Dinamo in the morning session, Rye finished 3rd in the men’s pool. But the Hockey Gods were smiling at Rye when the Russians did not stay around for the finals scheduled for 3 pm as they had a 5 pm return flight to catch for Moscow. With this premature departure by HC Dinamo, the tournament official opted to play the final between 2nd and 3rd place teams.
It’s a shame that despite dominating pool play with excellent skills and finishing on top with 18 points, the team from Elektrostal, Russia went home empty handed. HC Dinamo coach Igor Shishkov was well aware of the schedule when he entered his team in the tournament but had hoped that the organizers would move the men’s final to an earlier time to accommodate his team if they qualify for the final – an unrealistic wish – not realizing what a nightmare it would create in terms of scheduling and logistics, not to mention that if you do that once other teams would expect the same in the future. Unfortunately, but wisely Nigel Traverso, the Tournament Director had to say “nyet” to coach Shishkov.
The 9th edition of the Big Apple Hockey Festival saw seven men and eight women teams from Barbados, Canada, England, Russia and the USA compete for the Mayor’s Cup and the prize money – $3,500 for men and $4,000 for women – during the three days Labor Day weekend.
Kenneth Podziba, New York City Sports Commissioner representing the Mayor’s Office was in attendance for the award’s presentation. New York City Sports Commission is responsible for brining sporting events to the Big Apple. Mr. Podziba and his office became interested in the Big Apple Hockey Festival when New York was bidding for the 2012 Olympics and Nigel Traverso, a 1984 USA Olympian, was on the NYC2012 Board representing Field Hockey. In addition to handing out the awards to the athletes, the Sports Commissioner made a special presentation to Nigel in recognition of his dedicated hard work for the NYC2012 endeavor.
Men
Rye FHC: STUBEL, Oliver; JONES, Peter; CHEETHAM, Christopher; SANDHU, Sukhi; RIJKENBERG, Maximilian; GEERTS, Jonathan; STUTZ, Patrick; GEERTS, David; STELLA, Earnst; SINGH, Baljeet; MAHMOOD, Amir; ATKINSON, Chris; SEQIEIRA, Eldrid; LABANA, Harry; VOSKUYL, Gjis; DePAUW, Joost; ZANDER, Dirk; SINGH, Sunny
Toronto Lions: PREMAKANTHAN, Shanker; SINGH, Gurminder; GILL, Avtar Singh; GILL, Sukhdeepak Singh; RANDHAWA, Preet; BATH, Inderjit Singh; TEXEIRA, Micah; TEXEIRA, Deovhn; KANDOLA, Bikramjit Singh; SINGH, Rajvinder; SEEHRA, Kamal; RAJ, Tarsem Singh; DOSANJH, Satnam Singh; SINGH, Manjot; BATH, Jeewanjot Singh; DOSANJH, Jagtar Singh; GILL, Arminder Singh; KANDOLA, Baljit Singh
Umpires: Keith Stephenson (USA), Dean Wenrich (USA)
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NEFHA Playoffs 2009
By Jawwad Qamar
June 7: Big Apple HC and Rye were the 2008/2009 North East Field Hockey Association playoff winners in the women and men divisions at the Hofstra University’s Field Hockey Stadium on Long Island.
In a match of missed chances by both sides, Big Apple HC took the ladies Anthony ‘Pudding’ Clarke Cup by defeating the defending champions Greenwich Rovers on penalty strokes 3-2 after a scoreless tie in regulation. Former Hofstra University goalkeeper Christine Hickey was outstanding in goal for Big Apple stopping Rovers three penalty strokes out of the five attempts.
In the semifinals, Big Apple HC, also the winners of Jeffery Grosvenor Trophy for 2008/2009 regular season top finish, beat the fourth ranked Malvern 3-2, also on penalty strokes, after 1-1 regulation draw. The second semifinal saw Greenwich Rovers easily take the New York Islanders women 4-0.
Five goals in the first half was all Rye needed to dethrone last seasons champions Tri-State Falcons 5-2 for the men’s title and the John Greer Cup. Captain Patrick Stutz got things started for Rye by scoring in the first minute and closed out the half with his second tally for a 5-0 score. Sandwiched in between were goals by Chris Cheetham, Sukhi Sandhu and Aido Missen. Vishal Ramnarine and Dwayne Gracia scored for the Falcons late in the second half but it was too little too late.
In the semifinals, the Tri-State Falcons surprised Greenwich, the Michael Grannum Trophy winners for 2008/2009 regular season top finish, 2-1 while Rye had an equally easy time beating New York Islanders 3-0.
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Lombi Leads the Rye PiratesBy Jawwad Qamar – September 5, 2006
After all the rain and wind on day two, Big Apple Hockey Festival ended on a high note with two electrifying finals under the sunny skies. Malvern USA from Brooklyn, NY successfully defended the ladies title by edging out a gutsy University of Victoria team 2-1 in the dying minutes on a great solo effort by Trinidad & Tobago international Orie Trotman. Rye Pirates followed in a highly charged contest to edge out Le Touquet AC of France also 2-1 on Wouter Plantengas splendid goal set up by the mercurial Argentinean Jorge Lombi in the final minute.
Defending champions Malvern USA, led by their two speedy forwards; Petrina Brathwaite (Barbados) and Trotman, showed early pressure and after three unsuccessful penalty corners took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Cheryl Eglin two minutes before halftime. University of Victoria (UOV) began the second period with a sense of urgency with 10 players in the Malvern half and a through ball from the center was neatly put in by Robyn Pendleton for the equalizer. However, after that, Eglin took charge on defense keeping UOV at bay and Malvern bounced back as Trotman prevailed after a number of runs, showing her quickness and stick work through the middle beating the UOV keeper for the 2-1 final lead. Eglin earned the Most Valuable Player honors for her solid play in the game and especially on defense.
Both teams had played to a 1-1 tie during the divisional play. In the semifinals Malvern had a surprisingly easy time blanking Miami Field Hockey 5-0 and UOV took revenge of a preliminary round defeat at the hands of Big Apple Flickers by beating them 4-1.
The mens final was a very entertaining and highly charged affair where the great Jorge Lombi showed his class and why his omission from Argentinas World Cup squad could be a huge mistake. After an scoreless closely marked first half, the second half saw Nicolas Ganier in goal for Le Touquet AC make outstanding saves denying Lombis lethal drag flick and Wouter Plantengas shot on back-to back penalty corners. Ryes goalkeeper Manvir Gerwal was equal to the task on the other end making a close range save on a bullet of a shot from Alexandre Guilluy. However the French took a 1-0 lead on a low penalty corner shot from Benjamin Davrinche at the 42 minute mark. This was short lived as Lombi after combining with Wouter to gain a crucial penalty corner was not to be denied this time, putting the ball high in the middle of the net to level the score at 1-1.
With time running out in regulation, pace picked up as both teams went looking for the winner. This is where Lombis savviness showed as he found open space to receive a clearing pass from veteran Federico Baudini on counter attack and then without looking made a behind the back pass to the on-rushing Wouter at the right flank. Wouter did the rest by drawing Gainer out, to the right, and sending in a shot inside the far left post for an exciting and deserving 2-1 win and the $5,000.
While the Rye Pirates took full advantage of Lombis presence in their side, Le Touquet AC suffered for losing two players; Antoine Choteau and Francois Lahache, to suspensions after each received two yellow cards in their teams 2-0 semifinal win over the defending champions Toronto Lions. Both players were instrumental in the victory scoring one goal each in an ugly semifinal match that saw both teams with multiple players occupying the sin seats. Tournament MVP Lombi started and closed the scoring in the other semifinal against the New York Islanders after the Islanders closed the gap at 4-3, for a 5-3 win.
The 8th edition of the Big Apple Hockey Festival saw ten men and nine women teams from Bermuda, Canada, France, United Kingdom and the USA compete for the Mayors Cup and the prize money $5,000 for men and $4,500 for women during the four days. The fact that despite the rain and wind storm on the second day the tournament continued on schedule is a tribute not only to the players but the officials as well. This is the type of dedication that is needed to flourish the sport!
Women:
1st Place Malvern USA: BORNEO, Patricia; BRATHWAITE, Nicole; BRATHWAITE, Patrina; CABARIS, Shurland; CHAPPELL-EBER,
Mim; EGLIN, Cheryl; GEOFFREY, Vick;i HOWARD, Michelle; OTIENO, Raquel; OTTAVINIA, Amie; TROTMAN, Orie;
VUNIBORO, Laiza; LIBURD, Sekayi; HAYNES, Deirdre; TROCKENBROD, Tiffany; WEITZMAN, Hanna
2nd Place University of Victoria: AUJLA, Sumeet; BARREDA, Myriam; CARBERY, Emma; COLLISON, Katie; CULLEY,
Thea; ESPETH, Perri; EVANS, Robyn; FRASER, Alison; GLEN, Mary; LEE, Ali; MINTY, Gillian; PENDLETON, Robyn;
RUSHTON, Katie; TITTLER, Katie; VAN DER MERWE, Carla; WILSON, Danielle
Umpires: Vanessa Williamson (Canada), Alicia Takeda Hirata (Mexico)
Men:
1st Place Rye Pirates: BAUDINI, Federico; GEERTS, David; GITTENS, Simon; HAYDON, Danny; JONES, Peter;
KHAN, Fareed; MAHMOOD, Amir; MICHAEL, James; PLANTENGA, Wouter; LOMBI, Jorge; SANDU, Sukhi; SOUTHGATE, Toby;
STUTZ, Patrick; GERWAL, Manvir (GK); D’ABREO, Roger; PERSAUD, Patrick
2nd Place Le Touquet AC: BERNSTEIN, David; BIGOT, Samuel; CHOTEAT, Antoine; CHOTEAU, Simon; COISNE, Augustin;
DANEL Guillaume; DAVRINCHE, Benjamin; DAVRINCHE, Paul; DUCARME, Thibaut; GANIER, Nicolas; GUILLUY, Alexandre;
LAHACHE, Francois; LAHACHE, Thomas; LEGOGQ, Jean-Julian; PESCHE, Cyril; RENAUX, Sebastien
Umpires: Gertjan v. d. Meulen (Holland), Keith Stephenson (USA)