PUBLISHED BY THE UNITED GERMAN-HUNGARIANS OF PHILADELPHIA AND VICINITY
VOL. 76
OAKFORD, PENNSYLVANIA
No. 1
L to R: Standing; James Brett, Joe Hansen, Connor Sullivan, Gabe Dwyer, Matt Sullivan, Ken Tomczuk, Pat Raykovitz, Ken Lassiter, Jake Hubert, Dylan McDonald, Dave McCall, Stevie Paul, Jason Karasow (Head Coach). Kneeling; Mike Talan (Landessportleiter), Werner Fricker Jr., Dan Grindrod, Jason Rocha, Devon Memis, Sasha Malofiy Jr., Nick Jachwak, Jason Pixley, Werner Fricker III (General Manager). Photo courtesy of Michael N. Fricker
Game I – Saturday 12 pm noon vs Cleveland The team and supporters came in ready to go for our first game vs Cleveland Concordia. The lengthy bus trip full of first teamers and supporters did nothing but raise expectations. The objective for the weekend was simple: bring the trophy home from a trip outside Philadelphia for the first time in our history. The Super Fans were cracking beers as the kick off whistle was sounding. The heavy rain the night before made for a slick surface and both teams were buzzing. Rumors that Cleveland brought in a U-23 select team seemed true as both teams were knocking it around with much more pace than normally seen in a Major Division game. There were no signs of nerves on the U.G.H. side as we started to get the better of play and chances. The Cleveland goalie was quick off his line on a few chances to eliminate any U.G.H. opportunity at the goal. The halftime whistle blew and it was 0:0. More of the same quick play with limited chances for both teams in the second half and it ended at 0:0. Even though a win was the desired result, a loss in game 1 is very difficult to come back from in a round robin so our club was moderately pleased with the result. Game II – Saturday 2 pm vs Akron Although Akron generally isn’t the strongest team of the competition, you can never take the host team lightly. They already had one win on the day, and U.G.H. could not afford to go winless
in its first two games. That’s a recipe for disaster at this tournament. As the schnapps began to get passed around for kick off in game 2 it was more of the same for the German Hungarians. The staff had been preaching to the team that a tight defense was needed for the weekend. It was easy to see that they were delivering. The combination of Stevie Paul and James Brett in net, along with a defense consisting of Gabe Dwyer, Connor Sullivan, Dylan McDonald, Pat Raykovitz, and Ken Lassiter were completely shutting down the Akron attack. Seems this was a preview for the rest of the teams of what they’d be getting through our backline. Answer: nothing. The U.G.H. attack, however was sputtering along not creating much danger. A half chance here and there until up popped our longest tenured player Ken Tomczuk. Not known for his scoring, our current Captain and two time Donauschwaben winner came up big when it mattered most. A loose ball popped out to Ken and he unleashed a laser into the top corner that left the goalie hopeless. U.G.H. would see the game out and come away with the 1:0 win. Not sure if it was the Hofbräu on draft, the schnapps, a win and a tie after two games, or maybe a combo but the SuperFans were starting to assert themselves as the “12th Man” and best supporter group of the tourney. (CONTINUED ON PAGES 2, 3, & 5)