2008 Paralympic Games

Day 8 - Sept. 14

2008 PARALYMPIC GAMES: U.S Women's Goalball Finishes Unfinished Business; Wins Gold

For Immediate Release
September 14, 2008

United States Women's Goalball Team Wins Gold

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.) beats Denmark in sudden overtime to play China for the gold.  The US Team beat China (6-5) in a sold-out Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium winning the gold medal.

The game between USA and Denmark went into two overtime periods tied (3-3). Winning the coin toss, the US Team elected to throw the first ball.  Neither team was able to score during the first three minutes, going into another three-minute-overtime period.

Asya Miller (Lapeer, Mich.) threw the winning ball ending the game in sudden death (4-3). 

"I've played in four Paralympics prior to coming to Beijing, this game was a continuation of the unfinished business in Athens where we won silver; winning the gold tonight is finishing what we started four years ago," said Jen Armbruster, (Colorado Springs, Colo.), U.S. Team Captain.

 "The U.S Team was ready, and it showed tonight," said U.S. Head Coach, Ken Armbruster (Colorado Springs, Colo.). "Tonight was like a boxing match, hitting and countering for 10-20 minutes, we were fortunate, we got the last punch in."

The coaching staff includes Ken Armbruster (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Sharon Gunderman (Dubois, PA) with support staff including Gwyneth Short (Lakewood, Colo.) and Lou Tompson (Landrum, SC).

Goalball is a Paralympic sport played by athletes who are blind and visually impaired. Developed after WWII as a way to keep blinded veterans physically active, it has become the premier team sport for athletes who are blind and visually impaired. Played competitively by men and women, it is a very fast paced, physically challenging, strategic and exciting game.

United States Men's Goalball Finishes Fourth in the World

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.) fell short of their quest to repeat their bronze medal victory in Athens.  After giving their all in a very tough game with Sweden this evening, the U.S. Men's Goalball team lost in a disappointing match (5-2).

 "There is nothing to be ashamed of, finishing fourth in the world is something to be proud of" said U.S. Head Coach, Tom Parrigin. "You can hold your head up and be proud; you gave it your best."

Goalball is a Paralympic sport played by athletes who are blind and visually impaired. Developed after WWII as a way to keep blinded veterans physically active, it has become the premier team sport for athletes who are blind and visually impaired. Played competitively by men and women, it is a very fast paced, physically challenging, strategic exciting game.

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).

Daily video highlights of the 2008 Paralympic Games are available at http://www.usparalympics.org/ and http://www.universalsports.com/