Beijing, China

September 06, 2008 to September 17, 2008

Day 5 - Sept. 11

2008 PARALYMPIC GAMES: U.S Goalball Team's Advance to Next Round of Competition

For Immediate Release
September 11, 2008

(Beijing, China) - Although the entire U.S. Men's Goalball Team of Steve Denuyl, (Kalamazoo , Mich.) Chris Dodds ( Logan, Utah), Tyler Merren (Kalamazoo, Mich), Donte' Mickens,(Tallahassee, Fla.) Eddie Munro (St Augustine, Fla.) and Daryl Walker (Jacksonville, Fla.) played in today's fifth game of preliminary pool play, they struggled against Sweden; losing 9-1.  However, the U.S. will advance to play in Friday's quarterfinal against Slovenia at 9:00 a.m.

Denuyl scored the only point with seconds left in the second half of the game.  There were several shots that looked like goals but were determined to be "long balls."

One of the penalty calls in the second half was made when Denuyl threw a three-time throw penalty. 

Teams that do not move out of pool play will compete for 9-12 placements.

"Even coming in 12th place is an accomplishment," said U.S. team leader John Potts. "The top 12 teams worked very hard to get here; there are hundreds of nations that did not qualify and only the top 12 teams get to participate in the Paralympic Games."

United States Women's Goalball Team wins 4-0 against Germany

The entire U.S. Women's Goalball Team consisting of Jen Armbruster (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Lisa Banta (Boonton, NJ), Asya Miller (Lapeer, Mich.), Robin Theryoung (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Jessica Lorenz (Berkley, Calif.) and Jackie Barnes (Wadsworth, Ill.) played tonight to dominate the team from Germany, 4-0.

"The U.S Team played incredible defense, scoring within the first minute of the game.  The team gave 100 percent throughout the game," said U.S. team leader, Lou Thomson. "There was good solid ball placement to score on offense."

The team meets with Canada at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, at the Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium.

For more information regarding the results: http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRMP/ENG/Schedule/GB.shtml

For more information or to arrange an athlete interview, please contact Amy Rohlfs at 13910754531 (if calling from the U.S., dial 011 86 plus the local number).