US Team Handball Women's National Team

by: Jennifer Farrell

CORTLAND, NY-
On Saturday March 18, the USA Team Handball Women’s National Team (WNT) made their last trek to Canada as part of the regular Quebec League season. Although some of the pressure was off after an amazing win against Champlain the previous weekend, the WNT still had a job to do if they wanted to keep playoffs within reach. At the end of the weekend, the WNT brought home two wins against Drummondville and Chaudiere, leaving one win to go for a spot in the semi-finals.

Pulling into Drummondville on Saturday night, the heat was on. The WNT was facing a team who had beaten them twice this season and who was also vying for a spot in the playoffs. If the WNT lost this game, they would have to win all of the last four games to have a shot at the semi-finals. However, a win against this team would vindicate the WNT and take a bit of the pressure off, as they would only need to win two of the last four games.

“ It was a very intense game, with a period of strong play and a period where we lacked overall consistency,” said Assistant Coach and ‘96 Olympian Dawn Lewis. “It was a game where we couldn’t hit our spots and where we made the other goalie look fantastic.”

Although there were moments where the WNT struggled with consistency and shot precision, their defense kept Drummondville at bay, allowing USA to take and keep the lead in the second half. Despite a scrappy game from Drummondville, who was visibly hungry for a win, several members of the WNT offense stepped up to the put the ball in again and again. Veteran player and center-back, Edina Batar had an amazing game with 10 goals, and Kathy Darling put in eight, continuing her high scoring streak over the last several weekends. Melanie McCormick, a new player on the WNT this year, also came through for the WNT by putting in two balls at the right wing.

As the buzzer sounded, it was the WNT who got to celebrate, taking their first win of the weekend with a score of 25-22. Although there was a lot to be excited about Saturday night, the WNT still had two games ahead of them on Sunday, and there was no time to revel in their success.

When Sunday morning rolled around, the WNT headed down to Montreal to play second-place team Montreal Celtique (9-4-1). Earlier this season, the WNT split 1-1 with Montreal at home, and one more win against them could put the WNT in the running for a second place finish.

Perhaps still feeling the excitement of the win from the night before, the WNT arrived on the court wanting to win, but seemingly not prepared to step-up and work for it.

Celtique took the lead shortly into the first half, and the WNT defense struggled to keep them under control. Within a short period of time, the game was beginning to slip away from the WNT, and Head Coach Latulippe called an early time-out.

“ Celtique took an early lead and we followed their rhythm,” said Latulippe. “ We had chance to come back and change the momentum, but we didn't show the desire to put the ball in.”

The WNT continued to struggle, but didn’t let Celtique get too far ahead as they came into halftime. Again, the coaches addressed the WNT, hoping that if the team got it together, they could regain control of the game.

“ We worked hard as individuals, but not together as a team,” said Assistant Coach Dawn Lewis. And in the end, this was the downfall for USA, who left the court with their only loss of the weekend, 15-22.

While the team sat silently in the locker room, team captain Tomuke Ebuwei offered some words of advice to her disappointed teammates: “What’s done is done. We have to put the last game behind us and refocus. It is how we play in this next game that really shows what kind of team we are. Do what you need to do over the next hour, but be ready to step back on that court and win.”

At 2pm, the WNT stood on the court for the second time on Sunday, this time more humble and ready to get down to work. In their third game of the weekend, the WNT faced-off against last-place Chaudiere (1-13), and although the WNT had beaten them twice already, this game was especially important if the WNT wanted to hold-on to their chance at playoffs.

Stepping-up offensively for the WNT was team captain Tomuke Ebuwei, who, perhaps motivated by her own pre-game speech, showed extraordinary drive as she put in a solid six goals.

“ It was fun to see her play with speed and determination. Lately, she has been struggling offensively and we will need her down the stretch,” said Latulippe. “Defensively it was good. We regrouped, played as a team, and only allowed Chaudiere to put in 15 goals.”

In one of the more inspiring games of the weekend, the WNT took a 21-15 win, proving that they could overcome defeat, find their desire, and work as a team to get the job done.

With a record of 8-8, the WNT needs a win this weekend against Laval (9-4-1) in order to participate in the Quebec League semi-final.

“ This will not be an easy task,” remarked Latulippe. “We will need to leave our hearts on court and play for a full 60 minutes if we want to beat last year’s Quebec League finalist.”

But if there is one thing this season has shown, it is that the WNT has the ability to step-up to a challenge and succeed.

The WNT will play Laval at home, on the SUNY Cortland Campus on Saturday March 25 at 11:30am and 2:30pm in the Alumni Arena (ice rink).