US Wins Gold at 2006 World Wheelchair Rugby

Four years after losing to Canada, the US Paralympics Wheelchair Rugby National Team regained its lost glory with the gold medal at the 2006 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships. The US defeated the New Zealand team 34-30 in the final game of the Championships, held in Christchurch, New Zealand September 14-16.

The two teams met when they squared off in the final game of pool play. The US walked away with an easy eight-point victory, but with Saturday's stakes so high, both teams took to the floor with greater energy and intensity.

The teams traded goals for the better part of the opening frame, but with just over three minutes remaining and the score tied 6-6, Mark Zupan, Austin, Texas, got a jump ball call and the US took possession from New Zealand. The US nearly turned the ball right back over, but they managed to hang on, and a goal by Zupan gave the US its first lead of the game, 7-6.

The US and New Zealand turned up the physicality of their play in the second quarter. Both teams were hitting harder and applying even more pressure to the ball. While New Zealand wasn't able to shake the ball from the US, the Americans finally got a steal with just under four minutes to go in the half, and a goal by Andy Cohn, Mesa, Arizona, put the US up 15-13 at the break.

During the third quarter, the US had several near turnovers and communication breakdowns that could have shifted the momentum, and the advantage, to the Kiwis. But, the US managed to maintain its two-goal advantage throughout the quarter and finished the third with a 25-23 lead.

The US defense continued to stifle the Kiwis right from the start of the final quarter. New Zealand was forced to use its last timeout on the first possession of the fourth and had to play the remaining eight minutes with no timeouts. Then, the US pulled off the full-court press and dropped into the key, making New Zealand run more time off the clock on offense which would give them fewer opportunities to score.

The Americans showed they are as much of a threat in the half-court as they are when they're pressing. The staunch US defense forced yet another turnover with just under 3:30 to play and another of Cohn's ten goals gave the US the three-goal edge, 31-28. One final New Zealand turnover with 30 seconds to go and an ensuing score by Zupan, who led the team with 14 goals, put the United States up by the final score of 34-30 and earned the US the title of World Champions.

"This is one of the best teams I've ever been a part of," said Zupan. "After four years of hard work, it feels awesome to win this."

US head coach James Gumbert, Austin, Texas, added, "It's overwhelming. It's so incredible to be part of something that these kids have worked so hard for, and to see them get this success is a very special experience."

Complete tournament results are available at www.wwrc2006.co.nz

US Wins Gold at 2006 World Wheelchair Rugby

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