Ocelots Field Hockey Teams 2007: Welcome
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"The longest journey begins with a first step."
"Knowledge is confidence - confidence lets you play fast."
"If you aren't willing to challenge yourself at a greater level...you aren't going anywhere...period. If you're content with the status quo you don't have a chance."
"The cowards never started and the weak died on the way." An Old Death Valley 49er Quote
"Be here at 9:30 tomorrow to run." Coach Parcells addressing the Patriots minutes after beating Jacksonville in the AFC Championship.
"Hearing is a physical thing....Listening is a psychological thing."
The Ocelots Field Hockey Teams
The Ocelots Field Hockey Teams are youth/school and club field hockey teams from Ashton, Maryland, U.S.A. Our players begin learning at age 6. Our Under-19 & Under-12 Teams regularily attend the AAU Disney Classic in Orlando, Florida and the California Cup in Los Angeles, California. The U-16 Team won a Championship at the 2003 USFHA National Hockey Festival in Indio, California.
95% of our players are products of field hockey instruction on astro-turf beginning at age 6 at the Mater Amoris School. Players from the "outside" are eligible on a very selective and limited basis at various times.
Honors for Ocelot Teams and Individual Players in the last 3 years include:
* U-14 Gold Medalists - 2006 AAU Disney Classic
* U-12 Gold Medalists - 2006 AAU Disney Classic
* U-14 Gold Medalists - 2005 AAU Disney Classic
* U-12 Gold Medalists - 2005 AAU Disney Classic
* GK for the '05 USA U-21 Men's National Team
* GK for the USA U-16 Women's National Team
* 3 Junior Olympians - 2004
* U-13 Silver Medalists-2004 Cal Cup
* U-19 Silver Medalists-AAU Championship 2004
* U-16 Team - 2003 Hockey Festival Champions
* 7 Ocelots on the United States U-16 Team
* 2 Junior Olympians-Gold Medalists
* 1 Junior Olympian-Silver Medalist
* U-12 Gold Medalists - Cal Cup 2003
* 2003 U-12 Cal Cup MVP - Al Grassi
* U-16 Silver Medalists-AAU Championship 2003
* U-16 Gold Medalists-Cal Cup 2002
* U-12 Silver Medalists-Cal Cup 2002
* U-12 Silver Medalists-Cal Cup 2000
* U-12 Bronze Medalists-Cal Cup 2001
* 7 National Futures Tourney Participants
* 14 Ocelots in USFHA Futures for 2003
"The desert was a school, a school where each day, each hour, a final examination was offered, where failure meant death and the buzzards landed to correct the papers."
"There is only one thing any of us respond to - pressure. Some respond favorably. Others respond unfavorably. Find out who responds favorably and get them with you."
"I told the team that I will not accept losing. I don't care if we are 0-14, I still won't accept it. And I don't want players that will."
"If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride - and never quit - you'll be a winner. The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards."
"When you make a mistake, admit it; learn from it and don't repeat it."
"If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes real good, you did it. That's all it takes to get people to win field hockey games."
"You can't raise up a corpse but you can settle down a fool."
Tuesday, February 27
OCELOTS STRIKE FOR GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE AT AAU'S
All three Ocelot teams returned from sunny and warm Orlando, Florida with medals. Two Under-12 teams and one Under-16 team participated in the AAU/Disney Championship which was held at the Disney Wide World of Sports.
Ocelot Blue won the gold medal in the Under-12 division defeating a determined Ocelot White team 3-1. Both teams played at a very high level of energy and both were clearly the class of that division. Three other teams competed in the Under-12 division and both Ocelot teams went undefeated against them.
The Under-16 team came home from the AAU Championship with the bronze medal. With a team comprised of 6 starters age 12 or younger, the Ocelots competed well against the older teams. The lost the silver medal game against Seacoast 1-0 in a hotly contested match.
For photos from the AAU Championship visit:
http://image.aausports.org/sports/field_hockey/2007/springclassic/webphotos/
Friday, February 16
OCELOTS SET FOR AAU CHAMPIONSHIPS
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Although, the teams practices have been hampered a bit recently due to the bad weather in the mid-Atlantic area, the Ocelots will be ready, according to Head Coach, John Kovach. " We were lucky before February with some good weather. That allowed us to practice and train for this event. Recently, its been tough, but all three Ocelot teams have some good athletes, who possess good speed and skills. We are all excited about being in Florida."
The AAU Championship Tournament schedule is:
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23
8AM - Ocelot Blue vs Aventura I
9AM - Ocelot White vs Aventura III
9AM - Ocelots U-16 vs Blast of Chaos (U-14)
11AM - Ocelots U-16 vs Blast of Chaos (U-16)
12PM - Ocelot White vs Excelsior (Jamaica)
2PM - Ocelot Blue vs Aventura II
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24
8AM - Ocelots U-16 vs Seacoast (U-14)
9AM - Ocelot Blue vs Aventura III
10AM - Ocelot White vs Aventura I
10AM - Ocelots U-16 vs Seacoast (U-16)
**the rest of the schedule for all three teams is to be determined after this based on where they stand in their respective pools.**
Thursday, November 23
OCELOTS SCORES FROM THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL
Thursday:
Ocelots 1 No Limit 1
Buckeyes 1 Ocelots 0
Friday:
Aim 4 Ocelots 0
Pocono 1 Ocelots 0
Saturday:
Nomads 1 Ocelots 0
Ocelots 2 Quik Stix 0
Friday, September 15
OCELOTS HAVE A NEW LOOK
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Ocelot Head Coach, John Kovach commented on the new team, "this is a new beginning for this group of players. There are a lot of very young players on the roster - we may end up being the youngest team at the Festival, and there are over 2,000 field hockey players at that event! What's exciting to me is the newness and enthusiasm of these girls. As a coach, having patience now with these girls is important, as well as teaching them. The parents and fans of Ocelot hockey, who are used to great results thru the years, will have to be patient too. Great results may not come right away - but they will come! I really like this group - they're gonna be ok."
The 2006 Ocelot Under-16 Team roster for the National Hockey Festival:
Haley Barker
Sarah Bates
Emily Cain
Dana Craft
Danee Fitzgerald
Jill Genovese
Danielle Grassi
Amy Keth
Nicky Lertora
Pauline Lombardo
Erica Marshall
Megan Mornini
Haley Pegg
Allie Pickens
Faith Twigg
Paige Twigg
Idrienne Walker
More info on the National Hockey Festival may be found at: www.usfieldhockey.com
Sunday, July 2
GRASSI SELECTED TO U.S.A. SQUAD
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In addition, the tournament was a "selection" event for the U.S. Men's National and Junior National Teams. Based on Alex's excellent play at the event, he was chosen as a member of the 2006 Men's U.S.A. Under-18 Team.
In its first year, the National Championship tournament featured 128 athletes on four men's regional teams and four men's junior teams competing for top honors and for spots on the 2006-07 USA National Squad.
"We are really thrilled with the event," said U.S. men's high performance coach Nick Conway. "For the first year of the event, it was better than we could have expected. The quality of play was very high and the athletes had an enjoyable time. We feel it was a great success and now we just have to make sure we use this to move forward productively with the men's program."
In addition, Ocelot Head Coach John Kovach commented, " I am very proud of the effort that Alex has continued to demonstrate in the sport of field hockey. He is a player that everyone associated with the Ocelots should be proud of. Alex is a testiment to what can be accomplished with hard work and perseverance."
Monday, May 15
THE OCELOTS AND THE CAL CUP
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Why do the Ocelots have the close relationship with the Cal Cup that they have? This question, along with others was presented to Ocelot Head Coach, John Kovach, with about a week before the team departs for the 2006 Cal Cup, by interviewer Ron Nagaer.
Q - Why do the Ocelots attend the Cal Cup each year?
A - Ever since my first trip to the Cal Cup in 1998, as an Assistant Coach with the U.S.A. Under-19 Women's Team, I realized that the Cal Cup was a perfect event for our hockey program. When I stood there in '98, and on one field saw International and Olympic players competing and on a nearby field saw both girls and boys playing in the U-9 Division, I knew that this was a perfect match for us.
Q - When did the Ocelots first attend the Cal Cup and how did they do?
A - The Ocelots attended the Cal Cup for the first time in 1999. When I look back at that team, we had some very good future players - both girls and boys. I mean, 4 of them have represented the U.S.A. and now, several of the members of that team will be playing Division 1 collegiate hockey this fall. Believe it or not, with all that "future" talent, we only came in 5th place in the U-12 Division. At that time though, we thought that was outstanding!
Q - Have the Ocelots ever won a Gold medal at the Cal Cup?
A - We have been fortunate to have won Gold twice at the Cal Cup. The first was in 2001 with a U-16 Girls team, many of whom were on that 1999 team. The Gold Medal game came down to us winning a penalty stroke shootout. Jamie Perez, our Captain at the time, made the deciding stroke. The second was with the U-12 Team in 2003. That team was nicknamed the "Desert Crew."
Q - Where did that name come from?
A - That year, I decided to fly the team into Phoenix, Arizona and drive from there to Los Angeles. That meant going through the Sonoran Desert. Along the way, we stopped in a remote spot off of Interstate 10 for a training session. Lets just say it was pretty hot that afternoon. The kids did a great job and after winning gold at the Cal Cup, the name "Desert Crew" stuck with them.
Q - And that rock that I've heard so much about next to the Ocelot turf?
A - (laughing), Yes, that comes from the same adventure! When we stopped to train in the desert, we couldn't get the goalie bags open, where we had stored the cones that we use as markers for our running. Homeland Security had sealed the bags very securely for the air flight. So, I went and got a rather large rock out of the desert sand to use as a marker. When our training was over, I told the team that we would carry the rock to L.A. and if we won Gold, that we would bring the rock back to Maryland and that it would always have a prominent place by our field. Well, the rest is history...
Q - Has the tournament changed at all since 1999?
A - I think only is small subtle ways. So many teams want into this tournament, that they now have to have some of the fields at Cal Lutheran University rather than Moorpark. This had an impact when the Ocelots fielded a U-19 team. There is no atmosphere as great as that at Moorpark for a field hockey event. My opinion is that even the USFHA National Festival pales in comparison to the Cal Cup, for what a true hockey tournament should be all about. In the younger divisions, the teams from the Republic of China are still the teams to beat. They are so well schooled and so fundamentally sound - I love the opportunity for my players to compete against them.
Q - How do the Ocelots look this year as the Cal Cup approaches?
A - Our fitness, for the most part, is in place for the players that I think will have the most impact on any success we have. I have seen some fantastic progress from some of my players throughtout the year. I am hoping that our defense will be sound. In a tournament, that is so important. I named a second year player as Captain today, Erica Marshall. She signifies what I want in a player - someone who puts "team" above all else (especially herself), who works hard 100% of the time and who is not afraid to play hard nosed defense. If we get that from the rest of the team, we'll have a chance...
Still, there are more than a few question marks. I'm still not sure where we can get consistent scoring from. The players have above average stickwork as a whole, but some of them still wait too long to pull the trigger. Our goalkeeping is a question mark. Anytime a young goalie starts her first major tournament, you're never sure what to expect. If she plays "hot", then she could carry us far at the Cal Cup.
Still, all these players will play hard and are not afriad to get in their "opponents face." As long as that mentality is in place, we'll be ok!
Q - What are the plans to the trip?
A - Well this trip is quite a bit different than any we have ever gone on! I know we are all excited about it. We will be flying in to Las Vegas and then going to Death Valley to see many of the sights that I have told the team about. The second day there, we will be doing the First Annual Hike 4 Hockey, up Wildrose Peak. The players and the entire 9-12 class has been getting pledges for this hike. The money will help the Ocelots defray many of the skyrocketing costs of attending events like the Cal Cup each year. Wildrose Peak overlooks Death Valley and goes up over 9,000 feet in elevation. I'm not worried at all about the players making this hike - it's more the coaches and staff I'm concerned about!!
Q - What about after the hike?
A - After the hike, we will spend the night in a desert town and then leave for Los Angeles the next morning. We will practice that afternoon and relax before opening up competition the next day.
Q - Final question - what are your hopes for your team?
A - I want them, first of all, to really enjoy the first two days around Death Valley. They have earned that! Once we get to the Cal Cup, I want them to play hard and show the rest of the teams what Ocelot hockey is all about. I want them to realize through this experience, the value of hard work and preparation, for anything worthwhile in life. But even more importantly, I want them to enjoy the moment, the great hockey, the team comraderie, and an experience that so many kids their age never get to enjoy! I want this trip to be one that each of them will always remember.
For more information about the Cal Cup, visit: www.CalCup.net
Thursday, May 11
CALIFORNIA CUP GAME SCHEDULE SET
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Saturday, May 27:
Ocelots vs Cool Cats - 8:30 AM
Ocelots vs Black Hawks - 1:30 PM
Sunday, May 28:
Ocelots vs Junior Flyers - 12:30 PM
Ocelots vs Wizards - 5:30 PM
Monday, May 29:
Ocelots vs Republic of China - 9:30 AM
The medal games for the U-13 Division will take place at 1:30 PM.
Results and photos will be available at this website as well as the Hike4Hockey website as they become available each day of the tournament.
For a complete schedule of all the Cal Cup games in all divisions, visit the tournament website at: www.CalCup.net
Friday, April 28
THE 2006 CAL CUP TEAM
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Friday, April 28
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OCELOTS BEGIN CAL CUP PREPARATIONS
The Ocelots have begun preparations for the 2006 California Cup, which they will be attending for the 8th year in a row. The International Tournment, which features teams from all corners of the world, is held at Moorpark College, near Los Angeles, over Memorial Day weekend. The Ocelots will have one team entered this year - an Under-13 Team. The Cal Cup features a variety of age group teams, from under-9, all the way up to Olympic level Super Division Teams and also a Veterans Division.
The team will be traveling from Baltimore to Las Vegas and then driving directly to the Death Valley area, to embark on the First Annual "Hike 4 Hockey" on May 25th. This hike will help raise funds for the yearly Ocelot activites. From there, the team will travel to Moorpark, for a day of practice and "settling in" before the games begin on May 27th.
The Under-13 roster includes:
Allie Pickens
Danielle Grassi
Sam Gasbara
Tyler Hockensmith
Alex Grzybowski
Robin Van Houtten
Joe Boarman
Erica Marshall - Captain
Sarah Bates
Amy Keth
Haley Barker
Nicky Lertora
Idrienne Walker
More information to follow about the Cal Cup in the near future.
Results and photos will be here from CA, from both the Cal Cup and the Hike 4 Hockey from May 24-May 29.
Also check: www.eteamz.com/ocelots-hike4hockey
Monday, March 6
OCELOTS ARE GOLDEN AT AAU'S
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The Under-12 Team beat Aventura I by the score of 3-1, to defend their Gold medal won in 2005. A strong effort was put forth by the team to go undefeated during the 3 day event.
At the same time, the Under-14 team was defeating SeaCoast U-14's by a score of 1-0. This is the second straight year that the U-14's have defeated SeaCoast for the AAU title. During the course of the 3 day tournamnet, the team lost only one game and outcorned their opponents 52-21 on their way to Gold!
Congratulations to both teams for a job well done!
Friday, April 21
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Tuesday, March 7
THE 2006 AAU FIELD HOCKEY CHAMPIONS
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Saturday, March 4
OCELOTS GOING FOR GOLD
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The Under-12 team had two impressive victories on Saturday. They first defeated the Cardinals (PA) by a 6-1 score. In the playoff semi-final game that followed, the team defeated Aventura II by a 7-0 score. The Gold Medal game is at 10:00 AM.
The Under-14 team achieved two wins and a tie on Saturday, that cliiched a berth in the U-14 Gold medal game. The first game was a 3-0 win over Blast of Chaos (PA). That win was followed by a 2-0 win over Sea Coast U-14. In the final match, the Ocelots and Sea Coast U-16 tied 1-1. The Ocelots will play the winner of the Blast of Chaos vs Sea Coast U-16 at 10:00 AM tomorrow.
Friday, March 3
OCELOTS BEGIN AAU CHAMPIONSHIPS
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The Under-14 Team opened with a 2-1 loss to Shore Under-16 Team. The Ocelots performed well and played with great intensity against a much older team. In the loss, the Ocelots out-corned the Shore team 8-2. In the second contest of the day, the Ocelots tied the Sea Coast Under-16 team 0-0.
Competition continues tomorrow with the U-12's having 2 games and the U-14's having 3 games.
Thursday, February 16
3 OCELOTS INKED FOR COLLEGE
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Annika Alexander-Ozinskas has signed with Stanford University, Christina Boarman has signed with Towson University, and Jamie Perez has signed with Towson University.
All three of these players began playing at age 6 in what became the Ocelot program. They were all members of the first Ocelot team that travelled to the 1999 California Cup and won gold medals at both the Cal Cup and the National Hockey Festival during their time on the squad. All three have been the recipients of honors during their high school field hockey careers. Alexander-Ozinskas played at Garrison Forest School, Boarman at St. Paul's School for Girls and Perez played at Glenelg Country School.
Ocelot Head Coach John Kovach commented, " I am very proud of these three outstanding student-athletes." All are original Ocelots, and it has been rewarding to watch them grow as players and as people. I feel that all three have their best days ahead as players, and they should be positive assets to the programs that they are joining next fall. The fact that they are continuing to play at the Division 1 level, is a great motivator for my younger female players, who are now just beginning to get serious about the game. I am very proud of all three, and all of us in the Ocelot "family" wish them the best for their collegiate experience."
Thursday, February 16
NEW ERA BEGINS FOR OCELOTS
A new generation of Ocelots will embark on their first tournament without an "older" team in place above them, as the 2006 U-14 and U-12 Ocelot teams travel to Orlando, Florida for the 2006 AAU Disney Classic. The U-19 team played its final tournament together at the 2005 National Hockey Festival in West Palm Beach, Florida over Thanksgiving. Now, these young Ocelot players will begin the journey to make their own mark and to follow in the footsteps of some of the excellent players that have preceeded them.
The AAU Championship will be played at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World. The tournament begins on March 2nd and runs through March 5th. Teams from various different regions of the United States are expected to attend. The Under-12 team will be coached by Lynette Mitzel, Head Field Hockey Coach at Towson University. The Under-14 Team will be coached by John Kovach, Assistant Field Hockey Coach at Towson University. He will be assisted by Vicki Sutton.
Kovach commented on the tournament," we are excited about attending the AAU's again this year. This is a great opportunity for all of our players to gain valuable experience and have a great time in Florida. There will be many young players on both squads. This group has been working hard and had a great week of practice before the blizzard hit last weekend. Although our practice time will be limited in the next two weeks, I know the players will be ready when we get to the warm weather in Florida." Kovach continued," I am especially anxious to see how this group of girls perfoms that are on the U-14 team. Our goal is to "push up" into the U-16 division later this year, if these younger players progress in a positive manner. Only time will tell about that, but this tournament will be an excellent barometer of where we are, and where we need to go in the next few months."
Information about the AAU Disney Classic can be found at: www.aausports.org
Friday, February 17
OCELOT AAU ROSTERS ANNOUNCED
The Ocelot rosters for the 2006 AAU Disney Classic:
Under-14 Team
Paige Twigg Kelly McCabe
Allie Pickens Danielle Grassi
Sam Gasbara Erica Marshall
Idrienne Walker Haley Barker
Nicole Lertora Amy Keth
Elaine McCabe Joe Boarman
Sam Harris Jill Genovese
Robin Van Houten - inj
Emily Cain - inj
Under-12 Team
Tyler Hockensmith Alex Grzybowski
Sarah Bates Griffin Alcorn
Isaac Gasbara Joe Pickens
Justin Weathers Justin Bates
Stephanie Histon Lizzie Brown
Jake Ryan Jacob Harris
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PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY
The question isn't how much more can you take...
But how much more can you give...
Just when you're ready to quit, your mind says push harder...
You listen sensing an inner strength that wasn't there before...
And suddenly you discover...you no longer feel the pain...
Now you know the training has paid off.
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Wednesday, October 26
OCELOTS ATTENDING NATIONAL HOCKEY FESTIVAL
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The "face" of the Ocelots will be very different than in years past. Seven of the fourteen players on the roster are first-timers on the U-19 team. The roster includes an "age range" of players from ages 10-17. The roster includes veteran Ocelots and team Captains, Christina Boarman and Jamie Perez, as well as U.S.A. Under-21 National Team goalkeeper, Samantha Nelson.
Boarman and Perez, both original Ocelots, who both recently verbally committed to play collegiate field hockey at Towson University next fall, will be playing in potentially their final "major" tournament as Ocelots. The roster also includes tournament tested players, Alicia Thompson (12th grade), Pauline Lombardo (10th grade) and Jen Ginolfi (11th grade). The rest of the roster includes both young Ocelots (who are moving up from the U-12/U-14 team for this event) and Ocelot "newcomers." They include, Paige Twigg (8th grade), Kelly McCabe (7th grade), Danielle Grassi (6th grade), Allie Pickens (6th grade), Jill Genovese (GKer-6th grade), Sarah Bates (GKer-5th grade), Sophie Daly (11th grade), Melissa Pazornik (11th grade), and Christine Knauss (9th grade).
Ocelot Head Coach, John Kovach, assessing the team for the 2005 Festival commented, "this is a very different look than we have ever had for a major tournament. The U-19 team is in a transition phase, which means that we have several veteran players on the roster and then quite a few young players. Several of the young players, will be part of the core of our upcoming Under-16 Team, which will begin play later this spring. I am excited for my senior players - Jamie, Christina and Alicia. I want them to have a great time at this event, and for them to help show the younger players, what it takes to be successful on the field. This is also a very important event for my high school underclassmen. I'm sure that many eyes will be on them from college coaches - it will be their time to shine! Although we never have the time to prepare the way I would like for this event, I know the girls will be ready to compete."
For more information about the National Hockey Festival, visit: www.usfieldhockey.com
Tuesday, July 26
NELSON SELECTED TO USA UNDER-21 SQUAD
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Nelson is the second, and first female goalkeeper, to be selected to a U.S.A. Under-21 team. Last winter, Ocelot goalkeeper Andrew Zayac was selected to the men's Under-21 National Team. Zayac was also 16 years old at the time. The Ocelot program is the first ever to have two goalkeepers representing the United States on an Under-21 team at the same time - on both the men's and women's teams.
Ocelot Head Coach, John Kovach commented, "Samantha came to my goalkeeper camp at Ocelot turf field early this afternoon and told me the news. Obviously, I am very proud of her and this accomplishment. As we discussed at that time, she still has lots and lots of work and challenges ahead of her. The pace of the game will be a major adjustment for her, but with time and experience she will be a quality goalkeeper at the elite levels. She has an inner drive and determination that are great qualities for a goalkeeper. I saw those traits in her as far back as when she was on our Ocelot under-12 team. She is a great role model and inspiration for all of the very young Ocelot goalkeepers that hope to follow her path in the future. We are all happy for her and proud of her."
Saturday, June 4
OCELOTS ACHIEVE CAL CUP SUCCESS
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| The 2005 Ocelot Under-13 and Under-11 California Cup Teams | |
The Ocelots had two Under-11 teams, one Under-13 team and one Under-19 team entered in the tournament. The teams came back with one silver medal and one bronze medal. The under-13 team had an outstanding tournament, making it all the way to the Gold Medal game. In the final, the Ocelots lost to Taipei 4-0, but played hard and had outstanding efforts by all of the players. In the most exciting game of the tournament, the U-13's defeated the Bulldogs in the Championship semi-finals in a penalty stroke competition. The game ended regular time tied at 2-2. In the first set of strokes, the Ocelots found themselves trailing 3 strokes to 1 stroke, with 2 strokes left for both teams. A great low shot by Kevin Ngo, kept the Ocelots alive, which was followed by a save by Emily Cain. Then, Ian Kingsley scored on a hard shot that snuck between the Bulldog goalkeepers pads. Still, the pressure was on, but Emily Cain once gain thwarted the Bulldogs. The first round of strokes ended up tied 3-3. In the second "best of five" round, the Ocelots took an early lead on an outstanding stroke by Paige Twigg and then Cain closed the door with solid saves from there. Coach Vicki Sutton was animated and vocal throughout the stroke competition and savoured the come from behind victory - one of the greatest comebacks by any Ocelot team in tournament play.
The Under-11 Blue team earned a bronze medal, defeating the Surfers in the Bronze medal game 1-0. Two teams from the Republic of China took the Gold and Silver. In the same division, the Ocelot White team achieved a 5th place finish. John Kovach commented, "both of these U-11 teams did an outstanding job at the Cal Cup. Out of 12 teams, we had a 3rd and a 5th place finish. No U.S.A. team ended up ahead of us for a medal. What was great about this event for us, is that so many young boys and girls got to experience it. The Cal Cup is "second to none" as a field hockey tournament. I couldn't be prouder of these kids - they all played very hard and with high energy and passion."
The one disappointment was the result of the U-19 team. The squad ended up with a 3 win and 1 loss record, and with the exception of one game, could have beaten any opponent in the U-19 Division. Still, a 2-1 loss to Quicksilver in the second game, cost the Ocelots a shot for the medal round. This was the second straight year that the Ocelots have fallen one goal short of the medal round at the Cal Cup. Kovach commented," I know that I reflect the feelings of all the girls that we are disappointed. Still, the girls have learned lessons from this, and that is important. They trained hard for this event and I am proud of the girls that made this trip for their committment and their devotion to the preparation. It wasn't easy, we had many early workouts in the cold of winter. Still, all of this work only puts a team in a position for success; it doesn't ever guarantee that success. Hopefully, this will be a life lesson for this outstanding group of players."
Tuesday, May 10
OCELOTS PREPARING FOR 2005 CAL CUP
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The Ocelots will send two Under-11 teams, one Under-13 team and one Under-19 team to the tournament. Last year, the Under-13 team came home with the Silver Medal, loosing a hard fought Championship match to Taipei. A very young Under-11 team came in 4th place at the 2004 Cal Cup. Many of those players return this year, for a chance to advance to the medal round. With those players, are a large group of 9 and 10 year old boys and girls, who will competing in their first Cal Cup. John Kovach commented," this is a year of change for our younger teams. We have many new players on those teams, and this is a chance for them to grow as players and to gain experience. Gone are some very good veteran players, and it will be up to some of these younger players to really step it up at the Cal Cup."
On the other end of the spectrum in the Ocelot Under-19 team. This is a veteran team, with players who have a great deal of tournament experience. Last years team, left the Cal Cup in disappointment, failing to reach the medal round. They are hoping for better results, this time around. Kovach said," I know that every member of this team is anxious for the Cal Cup. Our preparation began in December. We spent many cold Thursday nights practicing and training indoors in the winter, we have concentrated on both our fitness and our skills. Rather than playing in an indoor league, we practiced and trained. Now that the weather is warmer, the girls are getting used to 6:30 AM weekend practices and fitness training! Every one of the girls that is making this trip has made unselfish sacrifices for the team. This is extrememly important for their development as young adults. Our team is different than most club teams - the investment in their team that these girls have made will be a factor in their success in California. We all welcome the challenges that lie ahead at the Cal Cup."
For more information about the 2005 California Cup, please visit: www.CalCup.net
2005 OCELOT CALIFORNIA CUP ROSTERS:
OCELOT UNDER-11 BLUE:
Jill Genovese - GK
Erica Marshall
Allie Fales
Joe Boarman
Amy Keth
Robin Van Houten*
Haley Pegg
Sam Gasbara
Tyler Hockensmith
Brian Tien Street
Nicole Lertora
OCELOT UNDER-11 WHITE:
Sarah Bates - GK
Griffin Alcorn
Danielle Grassi
Isaac Gasbara
Pat Schlosser*
Joe Pickens
Haley Barker
Idrienne Walker
Allie Pickens*
Alex Grzybowski
Luke Chopper
OCELOT UNDER-13:
Emily Cain - GK
Kevin Ngo*
Malcolm Belin
Taylor Nelson
Ian Kingsley
Paige Twigg
Kelly McCabe*
Neal Hassel
Erika Heikkinen
David Young
OCELOT UNDER-19:
Samantha Nelson - GK
Annika Alexander-Ozinskas
Pauline Lombardo
Christina Boarman
Alison Bullock
Jamie Perez*
Allison Dulin
Riley Foster
Alicia Thompson
Christine Suggs
Jen Ginolfi
Laura Schnell
Kimberly Schnell
Julia Young - GK
* DENOTES TEAM CAPTAIN(S)
Monday, February 28
OCELOTS EARN AAU GOLD & SILVER
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The Under-12 White Team won the gold medal in the U-12 Mixed Division, while Ocelot White claimed the silver medal.
In the Under-14 Division, the Ocelots went undefeated and claimed the top prize. They played the gold medal game in a driving rainstorm on a very sloppy wet field. In fact, the championship game was called at halftime, as the umpires ruled the field was unplayable. The Ocelots beat the Shore Team from Easton, MD for the gold.
In the Under-19 Division, the Ocelots lost to Mexico 1-0 in the final. This game was also played on a very sloppy field in a driving rain. The During the three day event, the Ocelots claimed victories over the St. Louis Rams, Hymax, and Lanco Premier during "pool play" losing only to Mexico in the last game. In the medal round, the Ocelots won a "heart stopper" against the St. Louis Rams in penalty strokes. The game was tied 0-0 after regulation, so the outcome was decided by a stroke off. The Ocelots won the stroke-off 3-1, with great strokes by Allison Dulin, Christina Boarman and Kate Effland.
The next major event for the Under-19 team will be their annual trip out west, to compete in the 2005 California Cup in late May near Los Angeles.
Thursday, February 10
OCELOT ANDREW ZAYAC AT JUNIOR PAN AM GAMES
Ocelot goalkeeper Andrew Zayac is currently in Havana, Cuba with the rest of the U.S.A. Under-21 Men's National Team, as they compete in the Junior Pan American Games. The games will be begin on February 16 and will conclude on February 27. The Junior Pan Am Games serve as a qualifying event for the Junior World Cup, which will be held from June 29 to July 10 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
The USA men will start the competition in Pool A with defending Junior Pan Am Champion Argentina along with Barbados, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Pool B features Canada, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela. The U.S. team opens play on February 16 against Barbados.
Argentina and Chile men placed 1-2 at the last Junior Pan Am championships in 2000 while the U.S. men narrowly missed a spot in the Junior World Cup with a fourth place finish. Canada placed third in the tournament in 2000. Argentina has won all seven previous Junior Pan Am tournaments while the best USA finishes have been fourth place showings in 1981, 1985, 1992 and 2000. The USA men's only previous Junior World Cup appearance was an 11th place finish at the 1989 Junior World Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia.
Ocelot Head Coach, John Kovach commented, "this is an outstanding opportunity for Andrew. The chance to travel and participate in a tournament of this magnitude, will give him experience that can't be matched. I competed in the Junior Pan Am Games in Mexico City when I was a goalkeeper for the U.S. Under-21 Team, and it was an unforgetable experience. I am very proud that we have an Ocelot representing the United States at these games."
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Saturday, January 29
ZAYAC NAMED TO USA UNDER-21 TEAM
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Zayac is the first Ocelot ever to be named to an "elite" level U.S. National Team, above the U-16 level.
Thursday, August 19
OCELOTS COMPETE AT JUNIOR OLYMPICS
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Julia Young was one of the GK's for the Hot Pink team. She helped lead the team to a bronze medal winning performance. Samantha Nelson was one of the GK's for the Gold Team. Although the team did not win a medal, Samantha was selected for the second straight year as a GK for the U.S.A. Under-16 National Team, based on her play at the Junior Olympics.
Ocelot Head Coach, John Kovach commented, " I am very proud of all three girls that competed at the Junior Olympics. It was great to be able to see them play during that week, and they all did a great job. During one game, both Samantha and Jules were in goal at opposite ends of the field during the same game and that was a thrill for me. Christina did a great job in helping the Blue team win the gold. It was a great experience for all of them."
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Wednesday, October 15
USA NATIONAL TEAM COACH VISITS OCELOTS
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Ocelot Head Coach John Kovach commented, "what a honor for our hockey program to be able to bring the U.S. Men's National Coach to Ashton.
Coach Jagday was so gracious to agree to spend some time with us today. He was very complimentary about what we are doing here with all the Ocelot teams. He congratulated the U-12 Team on the great accomplishement last May, in winning the 2003 Cal Cup and said that we should all be proud of that. Coach Jagday is recognized as a world class coach and it will greatly benefit my young Ocelot players all of the insight that he provided them today."
The Spoils of Victory 2003
The 11 Cal Cup Gold Medals, the Cal Cup with the Ocelot and the Desert Crew Rock.
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"Lots" at the Maryland State House
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