Men’s and Women’s Goalball Advance to the Semifinals

Both the Women’s National Goalball Team and the Men’s National Teams have advanced to the semifinal rounds after stellar performances in Friday’s quarterfinal games.The Women’s National Team (3-3) defeated Brazil (4-2) 5-3. Team USA entered the game in the fourth seed of Pool X, pitted against

The Women’s National Team (3-3) defeated Brazil (4-2) 5-3. Team USA entered the game in the fourth seed of Pool X, pitted against top-ranked Brazil from Pool Y.Brazil took an early 2-0 lead, but gave up a penalty with 3:27 left in the first half that proved to be the game changer for Team USA. Amanda Dennis converted the penalty shot and the USA quickly scored two more to end the half with the lead, 3-2. Asya Miller scored the second goal and Dennis scored the third goal that put the US in the lead.The second half was a battle of defense, neither team

Brazil took an early 2-0 lead, but gave up a penalty with 3:27 left in the first half that proved to be the game changer for Team USA. Amanda Dennis converted the penalty shot and the USA quickly scored two more to end the half with the lead, 3-2. Asya Miller scored the second goal and Dennis scored the third goal that put the US in the lead.The second half was a battle of defense, neither team

The second half was a battle of defense, neither team were able to find the net until Miller split Brazil’s defense with four minutes left to play followed shortly by another point from Dennis.Dennis, who has been battling a knee injury since the first game of the tournament, started for the first time since her injury and was a key part of this game, both on offense and defense.”If you’re gonna play and gonna be here you better just play through the pain and win,” Dennis said about her injury.Brazil scored a late point but ran out of time before they were able to mount a final offensive attack.”We played defense today. We played our game,” coach Ken Armbruster said.The Women face Japan (5-1), who are the defending Paralympic champions, in the semifinal round at 9:30 am ET. This is the second time these teams will face, the US lost to Japan 3-4 on Wednesday.”We’re happy to be playing Japan actually. I hope we score three points because if we do we’re going to win this game. It’s all going to be about our defense,” Armbruster said.The

Dennis, who has been battling a knee injury since the first game of the tournament, started for the first time since her injury and was a key part of this game, both on offense and defense.”If you’re gonna play and gonna be here you better just play through the pain and win,” Dennis said about her injury.Brazil scored a late point but ran out of time before they were able to mount a final offensive attack.”We played defense today. We played our game,” coach Ken Armbruster said.The Women face Japan (5-1), who are the defending Paralympic champions, in the semifinal round at 9:30 am ET. This is the second time these teams will face, the US lost to Japan 3-4 on Wednesday.”We’re happy to be playing Japan actually. I hope we score three points because if we do we’re going to win this game. It’s all going to be about our defense,” Armbruster said.The

“If you’re gonna play and gonna be here you better just play through the pain and win,” Dennis said about her injury.Brazil scored a late point but ran out of time before they were able to mount a final offensive attack.”We played defense today. We played our game,” coach Ken Armbruster said.The Women face Japan (5-1), who are the defending Paralympic champions, in the semifinal round at 9:30 am ET. This is the second time these teams will face, the US lost to Japan 3-4 on Wednesday.”We’re happy to be playing Japan actually. I hope we score three points because if we do we’re going to win this game. It’s all going to be about our defense,” Armbruster said.The

Brazil scored a late point but ran out of time before they were able to mount a final offensive attack.”We played defense today. We played our game,” coach Ken Armbruster said.The Women face Japan (5-1), who are the defending Paralympic champions, in the semifinal round at 9:30 am ET. This is the second time these teams will face, the US lost to Japan 3-4 on Wednesday.”We’re happy to be playing Japan actually. I hope we score three points because if we do we’re going to win this game. It’s all going to be about our defense,” Armbruster said.The

“We played defense today. We played our game,” coach Ken Armbruster said.The Women face Japan (5-1), who are the defending Paralympic champions, in the semifinal round at 9:30 am ET. This is the second time these teams will face, the US lost to Japan 3-4 on Wednesday.”We’re happy to be playing Japan actually. I hope we score three points because if we do we’re going to win this game. It’s all going to be about our defense,” Armbruster said.The

The Women face Japan (5-1), who are the defending Paralympic champions, in the semifinal round at 9:30 am ET. This is the second time these teams will face, the US lost to Japan 3-4 on Wednesday.”We’re happy to be playing Japan actually. I hope we score three points because if we do we’re going to win this game. It’s all going to be about our defense,” Armbruster said.

The third-seeded Men’s National Team (5-2-1) took an early lead against second-seeded Turkey (5-0-2), when John Kusku scored in the first 20 seconds of play.

Turkey responded four minutes later with a goal but the U.S. fought back and Tyler Merren scored two quick goals. Turkey split the defense one final time in the half and at the end of the first half, the U.S. lead Turkey 3-2.”Stay confident, stay relaxed, don’t rush the ball too much at all, play together, play great defense and the goals will come,” Daryl Walker said of the U.S.’ strategy coming into the second half.Turkey came out strong in the second half and finished two, taking the lead 3-4. The U.S. was unable to answer until Walker converted a penalty shot with 1:45 left to play that tied the score with four goals apiece.Walker scored the game

“Stay confident, stay relaxed, don’t rush the ball too much at all, play together, play great defense and the goals will come,” Daryl Walker said of the U.S.’ strategy coming into the second half.Turkey came out strong in the second half and finished two, taking the lead 3-4. The U.S. was unable to answer until Walker converted a penalty shot with 1:45 left to play that tied the score with four goals apiece.Walker scored the game

Turkey came out strong in the second half and finished two, taking the lead 3-4. The U.S. was unable to answer until Walker converted a penalty shot with 1:45 left to play that tied the score with four goals apiece.Walker scored the game

Walker scored the game-winning goal 30 seconds later that moved Team USA into the semifinal round against Finland (6-1-1), who they lost to 3-8 on Thursday.

“The energy we’re feeling after this win…to keep that same energy going into Finland,” Walker said, feeling confident that the U.S. can turn a successful result against the defending Paralympic Gold Medalists.

“We’ve beat Finland a number of times so I think our confidence level is good, so it’s a matter of penalties. If we commit no penalties against them, I think we’ll come out on top,” coach Mike Lege said.The World Championship tournament is a Paralympic qualifying tournament. The top three finishing teams from both the men and women in this tournament secure a spot in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

“I just thought about Rio because we really need to qualify here and we’ve been working hard all year long,” Dennis said acknowledging that both of the Goalball National Teams are only one win away from a Rio bid.

“I just love that we’re in Finland, playing against Finland in the semifinals and quite possibly have the opportunity not only to beat Finland but to also qualify for the 2016 Paralympic Games,” Walker said.

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