USA IMPRESSIVELY TAKE THE GOLD MEDAL
The crowds have come out and there are easily over 6000 spectators in the Main Stadium. The players have been introduced and the national anthems have been sung. The sense of expectation is tangible... this is the 2009 World Games Ultimate Final.
Sam Chatterton-Kirchmeier kick started the USA offence with a bang and his huck to Batholomew Watson gives USA the first point. Watson had to work hard to run the disc down and shows Japan just how quick he really is. From the start, USA proves that this is going to be no repeat of this morning’s game. Japan hits straight back. Eri Hirai throws to the speedy Sachiko Sameshima running long in the endzone to tie the score. The US offence is looking good tonight. Watson and Wiggins work the disc well and Cara Couch makes the goal. However Hirai is on fire. She hits Sameshima once again for another score. The game is tied.
Japan tries a loose zone on the USA. It does not put any pressure on the US players and they score easily. Japanese early play makers Hirei and Sameshima both make costly mistakes, USA punishes. Kittredge is huge in the endzone and USA take the led 5:2. Japan huck it but the Americans are showing their strength in the air tonight. Tunnell gets the D and Kittredge catches a huck for the score. Japan must do something to stop them... 6:2 to USA. Japan finally put up a huck that looks good however Watson spoils their fun with a great defence. After the US time out, they try hucking to their girls. That was a bad idea and it’s an efficient block for Team Japan. Japan works the disc more this time and a great Masashi Kurono cross field flick to Asami Ishitsu gives them a much needed point. Despite the fact that hucks haven’t been working Japan, it becomes clear that this is part of their game plan. The next one is finally perfect. Hirai places the disc perfectly for Kurono. 6:4 now to Japan. Watson continues to be influential for USA and his hot hammer to Saunkeah gives USA the half.
USA comes out hard after the half time break. A great defence by Catherine Foster and Alicia White’s excellent backup play on the huck throw allows USA to stretch out their lead. Japan finally changes tactics and play fast short passes. A gutsy Hirai keeps hold of the disc although a USA player comes in over the top of her from behind. It looked dangerous and she goes of the pitch injured. 8:5 to Japan. Both teams try to huck unsuccessfully and the disc is once again with the USA. I am beginning to wonder what Watson had for dinner... he is a bullet tonight and gets yet again another great defence. Wow, this is exciting stuff! Gwen Ambler lays out in the endzone and it is another point to USA. Bad hucking choices hurt Japan tonight. Hirei gets sandwiched by two very tall American men. Japan lose possession. USA capitalise and increase their lead. Its now looking very bad for Japan. USA led 10:5.
Japanese grind it out with a series of short passes. Kittredge has really minimised Matsuno’s impact in this game but Hirei continues to be a key play maker for the Japanese. Her assist makes it 10:6. USA offence is running like clockwork. Saunkeah makes a great grab in the endzone for yet another goal. On the next point, Kittredge stopped Matsuno again. He is the man of the match in this game. His assist gives USA match point. Hirei makes an unfortunate decisions and USA aren’t giving back the disc. It seems somehow fitting that Kittredge throws the last assist of the competition. He has been outstanding... and proved that Matsuno is stoppable. This was an amazing final. Gold goes to Team USA.
photos by scobel wiggins photography
