2008 Paralympic Games

Day 6 - Sept. 12

2008 PARALYMPIC GAMES: U.S Goalball -Silence is "Goal-den"

(Beijing, China) - In most athletic venues the cheer of the crowd is encouraged, however, in the game of goalball, silence from the crowd is vital to the success of the team that is all visually impaired and relies on hearing the bells in the goalball and the constant communication with each other.

Today, as the clock ticks down, the crowd erupts breaking the silence as the U.S. Men's Goalball team beats Slovania (4-2) moving them in to the semi-finals.

 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.) will advance to play tomorrow against Sweden at 19:00 tomorrow.

"There was good communication and support out there today" said US Head Coach Tom Parrigin. "The Boys are back, playing at their own level; where everyone expects them to be."

United States Women's Goalball Team

The 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.) tied with (4-0) Canada.

"The U.S Team played a very physical game, said U.S. Head Coach, Ken Armbruster (Colorado Springs, Colo.). It was a close game, several close calls, but we earned it."

According to Armbruster, it was to their advantage that Asya Miller scored early in the game giving thema lead.  Canada tied the game in the second half with only 4 minutes left in the game.

The team meets with Sweden 11:00 on Saturday at the Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium.

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