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GENERAL
INFO
This was the first ever Chicago
Cup tournament, hosted by CFHC. We had two teams participating
and won both the winner's bracket and consolation pool.
TEAMS
SCHEDULE
AND RESULTS - See
Chicago Cup page
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PHOTOS
(more photos available in the Club
Album)
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NARRATIVE
Chicago Cup 2006 was
a 3 year dream in the making that finally saw its realization
during the weekend of the 15th -16th July. With 9 teams
from across the country confirmed to attend, Northwestern
University's state-of-the-art astroturf field secured and
all Chicago Field Hockey Club's members committed to making
the tournament a success;, the stage was set. This would
be Chicago Field Hockey Club's first hosting of a tournament.
Of the 9 teams participating in Chicago
Cup 2006, two were entered by Chicago Field Hockey Club,
Chicago A & Chicago B. The remaining 7 teams included:
Philaronto (a Philadelphia & Toronto Combined team),
Dallas from Texas, Mavericks from D.C, Toronto from Ontario
CA, St Louis from Missouri, Minnesota and a Midwest All
Star team (players from Cleveland, MSU, Michigan etc). The
tournament promised to be very competitive strong squads
from each of the cities.
Early Saturday morning the Chicago
crew was already out on the field setting up canopies, the
snack tent and the official's table. As the watering system
soaked the turf the rising sun began to give off a hint
of the impending heat wave forecasted for the weekend. Everyone
was hoping that the Windy City would live up to its name
bringing in a cool breeze from the lake. The weekend would
later prove to be the one time the city of Chicago would
be at complete odds with it's nickname.
Both Chicago teams were raring to
go. All teams would have four first round games on Saturday
that would determine their standings, which in turn would
position them either in the winner's bracket or the consolation
pool.
Chicago A was scheduled to kick-off
the tournament against St Louis. A newly formed club that
had yet to attend a tournament in the region, St Louis would
be an unknown factor to Chicago A. The game was a hard fought
match with Chicago going through its usual slow start. Chicago
A ended strong winning the game 2-1.
After a hard fought 0-0 tie between
Dallas and Toronto, Chicago A would return to the field
for their next game. This time the opposition would be Minnesota.
For the first few minutes the game was fairly balance both
teams feeling the heat. But Chicago A would finish the game
on a 5-1 win. With two wins in the bag Chicago A knew they
were halfway there and optimistic about their standings.
The next game saw the Mavericks defeat
Midwest All Stars 1 - 0. It was now time for Chicago B to
make their debut. A combative performance saw Chicago B
defeat Minnesota 1-0. Chicago B had started the tournament
well and was looking strong. Philaronto defeated Dallas
in the following game 1-0.
By this time the heat was really
soaring with players trying their best to keep hydrated.
At this point play was temporarily stopped to allow for
watering of the pitch. The players and spectators took the
opportunity to get some water and visit our sandwich tent.
Josh and his team of sandwich-makers did a fantastic job
and the menu was very impressive. It has to be said the
Chicago Cup 2006 owes some of its success to the endeavor
and commitment of the spouses of some of Chicago Field Hockey
Club members. They may not have been playing in the tournament
but their dedication and efforts off the field was greatly
appreciated (Josh, Matt, Hemant just to name just a few).
Chicago B took the field for the
second time to face Toronto. The game was a hard fought
match with Toronto eventually winning 2-1. Chicago A faced
off against Midwest All Stars immediately after. Chicago
A dominated the game but failed to take advantage of their
chances and the game ended in a 0-0 tie. Both Chicago teams
had dropped points and knew they had to regroup and improve.
The next couple of games saw Toronto
defeat St. Louis 1-0 and then Mavericks tie with Philaronto
3-3 in a thrilling end-to-end match. Up next was Chicago
A final game of the day, knowing only a win would guarantee
a good seeding for the winners bracket. Chicago A put on
a performance to finish the game 3-0. The next two games
were high scoring affairs with first Philaronto defeating
Midwest All Stars 8-0, followed by Mavericks defeating Chicago
B 5-0.
Hard fought games followed, St Louis
defeated Minnesota 2-1 followed by the Midwest All Stars
defeating Toronto 1-0. In the next game Chicago B were determined
to end their first round games strongly. Chicago B put on
a strong team performance to defeat Dallas 3-1. The last
two games of the day saw St. Louis defeat Mavericks 1-0
and Minnesota tie Philaronto 1-1.
The first round games had proven
to be hard fought battles that were only limited by the
scorching heat. The skill on display was at times mesmerizing.
The overall standings meant that Chicago A had qualified
for the winners bracket with the No.1 seeding. Chicago B
narrowly missed out on the wildcard qualification and were
resigned to the consolation pool, which they then vowed
to win.
The customary Saturday night social
was held at Tommy Nevin's Pub. As always it proved to be
the perfect opportunity for everyone to mingle and catch
up. A little banter on the exciting match-ups scheduled
for the next day then onto enjoying the great camaraderie
of the field hockey community.
Sunday was forecasted to be even
hotter then the day before. Again Chicago was out bright
and early to set up. The rankings from the night before
meant that Chicago A would face old rivals Mavericks in
the Semi-Finals. While Chicago B had two games against Minnesota
and Midwest All Stars in the consolation pool.
Chicago B knew they had to win both
their games by decent margins to top the consolation pool.
They produced two strong team performances to first beat
Minnesota 3-1 and then defeat Midwest All Stars 3-2, the
match against Midwest All Stars proving to be a fierce battle
with both teams going all out. These results coupled with
the failure of any of the other teams to record two wins
meant that Chicago B topped the consolation pool and finished
the tournament with a very respectable 5th place finish.
In the winners bracket the two Semi-finals
looked to be intriguing encounters. On the one hand, Chicago
A would face off against old rivals the Mavericks. The other
Semi-final would have a Canadian flare with Philaronto with
its partial Toronto representation facing off against the
all Toronto team. Chicago A put on a determined team performance
to defeat the Mavericks 2-1. In the other game Philaronto
defeated Toronto 2-0.
So onto the consolation game between
Mavericks and Toronto, which Toronto won 2-1 to finish 3rd.
Up next the grand finale, a final between home team Chicago-A
and Philaronto. The match was an end-to-end affair ending
in a 2-2 tie. Onto penalties to decide a winner. After 5
players on both teams had take their penalties the teams
were still tied. It took sudden death penalties to determine
a winner. And so Chicago A were crowned champions of the
first ever Chicago Cup.
Going from feedback from participating
teams, Chicago Cup 2006 was a great success. A well organized
tournament boasting very competitive hockey with great skills
on display, played at one of the best hockey venues in the
country. Add to that a great showing by both Chicago teams
and one will have to think back to Chicago Cup 2006 with
fond memories.
--written by Alarico Fernandes
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