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Photo Credit: International Floorball Federation

Team USA’s first ever competition game turned into a glorious celebration with a 5-2 victory over team Austria in the 7th Women’s Under 19 World Floorball Championship in Belleville Canada. “This victory could possibly pave the way for a game at the semi-final in the B-division at our first World Floorball Championships. A possible contender for the semifinal could be the home nation, and host, Canada or a strong German team.” said Anders Buvarp, General Manager for Team USA.

As the game against team Austria commenced, it was doubtless a few early minutes of nervosity seen with athletes on both Team Austria and Team USA. Soon a pattern of stability emerged where Team USA seemed to have the slight upper hand. USA scored the first goal, but Austria was not late to reply. The slightly stronger drive in the game from USA pushed the team forward yet again and after the first period Team USA had the lead with 2-1.

Austria held on to their pace and was able to reply with a 2-2 goal in the early parts of the second period.

Team USA developed a more firm grip over the match after they scored 3-2, and as 4-2 also game up on the game clock, the spirit and stamina with Team Austria seemed to slightly deteriorate. Alva Helber was a big part of this momentum forward for USA, as she scored a Hat Trick and she said after the game that she was rather surprised as she normally is not a player that scores many goals. As the game proceeded, Team USA came much more into the driver’s seat of the game and the victory score was sealed with the last goal by Christine Lindgren, with just 16 seconds left of the game as she hit the top shelf in the open net. Austria had pulled their goalie to try to turn the game around in the last minute.

“It is always nice to begin any tournament with a victory. But this was not just any tournament, it is the World Championship. It is also the first competition game ever for the national USA Under 19 girls floorball team”, said Tobias Hellquist, Head Coach of Team USA.

Mr. Hellquist continued; – “This was a true team victory where all parts of our team came together and we worked as a group aiming for victory.”

Adelia Pennisi was awarded as Player of the Game for Team USA.

by Michael Borg, Tomah, Wisconsin