*** NOTE: This is Part Two of a two-part article about the US National University Bandy Team's experience at the 2019 Winter Universiade. ***

Sunday morning, March 3rd, it was back to work for the US National University Bandy Team.  After getting back to the dormitories sometime around midnight, following the spectacular Opening Ceremonies the night before, Team USA was out of bed at 6am, ready for a 10am tilt against the Norwegian National University Team.  Unfazed by lack of sleep and lack of experience, the American ladies made good on their “Better Every Day!” slogan and looked considerably better than most people thought they would, losing by a score of only 0-6.  US goalkeeper Natalie Baker – playing in only her second international bandy match, ever – made several outstanding saves to keep the score close, and the Americans, collectively, made quite a statement.  This team was NOT broken by what happened to them in the opening match against Sweden.

Monday, March 4th, was another off-day for the Americans and was spent sight-seeing.  The squad traveled to a power plant, which doesn’t sound very exciting – or maybe it sounds terrifying, given that the current HBO post-GOT hit series is centered around the disastrous accident at a former Soviet Union nuclear facility.  In any case, the power plant was non-nuclear and it was exciting because the views in that area of the countryside were tremendous.  Naturally, this made for group photo-ops, selfies, and Instagram posts, galore.  (You know, all of the little things in life that add up!)

On Tuesday, March 5th, Team USA had the daunting – although more accurately, it could be considered exhilarating – task of taking on the hometown Russian National University Team in the third and final group play match of the Universiade women’s bandy tournament.  Team USA had nothing to lose, (regardless of the outcome of this game, they would be playing either Russia or Sweden in a Thursday morning semifinal showdown) and everything to gain, in the form of having the opportunity to play in the greatest atmosphere in the world – and in front of the biggest crowd that any of these young athletes had competed before in their lives.  As the novice US squad took the ice alongside the mighty Russians for the FISU anthem, 5,000 local bandy fans packed into Yenisey Stadium.  The building was electric, the energy profound.  And even though the crowd was chanting, “RU-SSI-A!” over and over again amidst the sound of airhorns and beating drums, the Americans seemed to feed off of the buzz.  The girls were flying out there, absolutely playing their hearts out.  Even though Russia scored... and scored again... and again, there was no quit in Team USA.  The legs kept moving and the girls kept challenging the Russians and making them earn every inch of ice that they got.

Earlier in Part One of this article, there was mention about how this team had a sense of collective heart and character that absolutely transcended any lack of bandy experience that these athletes boasted on paper.  Indeed, this team had every reason in the world to quit.  Entering the game, they were already down one player, as Katie Calliguri – a freshman NCAA Division-I hockey player for Sacred Heart University, who was making her bandy debut at the 2019 Universiade – was scratched by the coaching staff due to a muscle strain.  That left the team with ZERO subs.

Take on a Russian squad composed of several National Team players, and do so with no subs on the bench...?  No problem.

Then, about halfway through the second half of the game, Team USA’s Emily Goff – a former NCAA Division-III hockey standout, who had actually been playing bandy all winter in the ABA First Division – took an errant stick in the throat and had to come out of the game.

Take on the mighty Russians, (who, by the way, two days earlier had just beaten the Sweden team that pummeled the US) and do so with only nine skaters on the rink...?  Pshf, we’ve got this!

As the game was winding down, Russia was on a permanent power play and up 11-0 in the match, but Team USA did not quit.  In fact, they did one better than not quitting; they did the unthinkable.  If you'll also recall, from Part One this article, there was mention of literally only ONE female bandy player in America who had National Team experience and who was eligible to play in the 2019 Universiade... That player was Mikayla Rogers, and thanks to the Universiade Village having WiFi available to its athletes, Rogers was in fact able to join the team and keep up with her studies, online.  And in deciding to come along, she became a piece of USA Bandy history.  In the 81st minute of this lopsided contest, the United States was awarded a penalty shot.  The two-time World Championship veteran stepped up to the dot and ripped a perfect shot into the corner of the net, just past the outstretched arm of the Russian goalkeeper.  The Americans exploded into a mob of jubilation – both out on the playing field and on the sidelines – as they were officially on the board!

At the moment, the goal was thought to have been the first-ever that any US player had scored against Team Russia in international women’s bandy competition.  However, it was later found to be the second, as the Americans also netted one against the Russians, way back in a 2004 Women’s Bandy World Championship group play match.  Nevertheless, Rogers’ goal was the first for Team USA in the 2019 Universiade bandy tournament, (and for the US in any Universiade bandy tournament, for that matter, since this 2019 version was the sport’s inception into the Games).  The final score was 11-1 in favor of the home team, but the standing-room-only crowd gave both squads a sensational ovation as they exited the ice. (Best fans in the world!)  After the game, Rogers received the game ball in the locker room, as well as much praise for her accomplishment.  It really was a defining moment for both this team and for USA Bandy.

As the weary team boarded the bus after this invigorating experience, everyone was in a pleasant mood but understandably also quite drained from the incredibly taxing physical and emotional marathon that this adventure had been, up to this point.  The US squad was looking forward to getting back to the dorms and ordering some pizza, before settling in for a relaxing night and preparing to take on the Russians – AGAIN! – the next day.  The team bus rolled out of the gates of Yenisey Stadium and began the 20-minute trek back to the Universiade Village... However, thanks to a wrong turn somewhere along the way, that journey turned into a three-hour tour of the Siberian countryside.  There was definitely some uneasiness floating around the team’s psyche, with the thought of literally being lost in Siberia, but thankfully everything got figured out, and aside from some pain due to incredibly full bladders, there otherwise were no major casualties in this little transportation blunder.  In the end, the girls did, in fact, get their pizza... (Ninja Pizza! Aggressive name!)  All was well.

Because of the way that the chips fell in the preliminary round, the Americans earned the right to have a rematch against Team Russia the very next day, on March 6th, in the semi-final round.  Earlier that morning, Sweden obliterated Norway by a score of 12-1, punching their ticket to the gold medal game.

Though Team USA knew that they would be heavy underdogs as they prepared to face off against mighty Russia for the second time in 24 hours, they went into this challenge with full confidence – and a full roster, as Calliguri and Goff were healed up, suited up, and ready to get back to work.  Just before they took the ice at Yenisey Stadium, the ladies watched Kurt Russell’s take on the infamous 1980 Herb Brooks speech, in hopes of creating their own version of the Miracle on Ice.  Great moments are born from great opportunities... And that is indeed what these young ladies had here.

With zero hint of being intimidated by the score of the game the previous day, the US National University team went out there in front of another huge Russian crowd and they gave the world their very best.  At halftime, the Americans were only down, 0-4, and they were actually creating some solid scoring chances.  But as the second half moved along, the talented Russians proved to just be too much for this novice squad to contain.  Russian superstar, Olga Bogdanova netted four in this contest, (to go along with SIX that she scored the previous day against the Americans) and as the game neared the final whistle, Russia had amassed a 10-0 lead.

But just like 24 hours earlier, the game was not over, and therefore, the Americans refused to throw in the towel.

Team USA was awarded a corner stroke at the 86th minute of the match.  Bandy veteran, Finn Larson – a freshman at Arizona State University, who has been playing the sport perhaps longer than anyone else on the American squad – made a perfect pass to Erica Lieske – a senior and multi-sport star at Minneapolis Southwest High School, who coincidentally, just celebrated her birthday three days earlier – near the center of the arch.  Rather than shooting the ball, Lieske had the presence of mind to notice that two Russian defenders were rushing right out at her.  She gently poked the ball past them, got the ball onto her forehand, and then saw that the goalie was challenging her very aggressively, so Lieske calmly stickhandled to her backhand and lifted a shot perfectly over the wall of players who were standing in the goal.  It was a thing of beauty, and a savvy play by one of the youngest players on the team.

The match ended with Russia advancing to the gold medal game, by virtue of a 10-1 victory, but as the final whistle blew, everyone was still buzzing about the fantastic finish by Lieske and the American team.  They did one better than the previous day’s score against the Russians, AND they had just accomplished the unthinkable, by scoring on Russia two days in a row!  Now, they knew that they had a day off to regroup, and then it would be time to face off against the Norwegians with a bronze medal on the line.  This was totally doable for Team USA.  They really had gotten Better Every Day, and they were saving their best for last!

March 7th, the day before the big showdown against Norway for the bronze medal, featured a late-morning practice and shopping trip to the local bandy store across the street from Yenisey Stadium.  The mood was very businesslike for Team USA, as every player on the squad was well aware of the opportunity that awaited this group the next day.  As the sun sank down on the Siberian horizon, the ladies gathered together – in the lounge of Team Russia’s dormitory, oddly enough – to watch not just the speech, but the entire Disney movie, Miracle.  Admittedly, it was a bit surreal to be watching that movie in Russia; especially in the Russians’ building...  (Note: The lounge television was unavailable in the Americans’ dormitory because another team had already reserved it, but Team USA’s incredible attaché, Olga, was able to pull the necessary strings and hook her girls up!)  Some of the Americans wondered aloud about how this film was not outlawed in this part of the world.  Others suggested that maybe the film would have a different ending, here...?  But rest assured – our US guys still beat the Soviets and won the gold, and as the girls walked back to their dorm rooms after the movie, they would go to sleep dreaming of bronze...

March 8th, really, was the day that was circled on the calendar from the moment the Universiade events schedule came out.  This would be the day that USA Bandy had an opportunity to win its first-ever medal in women’s international competition.  And while the players and team leaders certainly didn’t rule out the possibility of turning a huge upset and playing for gold, the mission all along was to at least bring home the bronze.  And they knew going in that it would very likely be Norway standing in the way of their pursuit.  Now, suddenly, the day was here.  Everything that had been visualized had come to fruition.  It was USA versus Norway for the bronze, and it was time to go out there and play the game.

After an epic locker room dance party that would have made Whitney Houston proud, the Red White and Blue hit the ice flying.  The full house of 5,000 spectators that were watching the game would have never guessed that the Norwegian team featured nine players from Norway’s National Team while conversely, the US team featured seven players who had never played in any sort of international bandy competition prior to this week.  It was a back-and-forth affair, with each team getting their chances.  Watching the US ladies skate, it was extremely difficult, if not impossible to fathom that this group of athletes lost by three touchdowns to Sweden exactly one week earlier.  The Americans were soaring!

In the end, Norway won the game, and the bronze medal, by a score of 4-1.  For the third game in a row, Team USA battled to the very end and got on the board late.  Lieske netted another beauty with about 10 minutes left, and Norway up, 4-0.  (Watch out for this kid in the future... She is destined to play for the US National Team someday, and she will most certainly make an impact in future international tournaments!)  The goal was not a cliché sports phrase of “too little, too late” but rather it sent a message to the world of just who this amazing US National University Bandy team was.  Despite being on the losing end of a very rude awakening to the tournament in their first match, (rude being the operative word there)... Despite having to play Team Russia in front of their raucous home crowd on back-to-back days... Despite having only one sub, and in one game being down to only nine skaters... Despite the fact that they had to travel much farther than any of the other teams in the tournament... Despite their lack of bandy experience... And despite being bent to the limit...  This team was never broken.

They never hung their heads.

They never felt sorry for themselves.

They never complained.

They never showed even a hint of poor sportsmanship in competition.

This team NEVER gave up. 

And they really did get Better Every Day.

Perhaps the irony of it all was that this memorable spring break excursion to Siberia actually did turn out to be a bit of a “Spring Break!” trip for the group of hearty Minnesotans who made up the US National University Bandy Team.  The temperatures in Krasnoyarsk were in the upper 40’s most days, and much of the snow had melted away from the Universiade Village landscape by the midweek point.  As shovel-clad Minnesotans were struggling to unbury their driveways back home amidst below-zero temps, here in Russia, there were actually workers on site who were wheelbarrowing in load after load of snow to try to maintain a “winter” scene!

The Universiade organizers had proudly branded the event with the hashtag #RealWinter.  But we know, sadly, that that title should absolutely be reserved for Minnesota; and this was painfully evident upon landing at MSP amidst whiteout conditions on March 9th.  Maybe, rather, the Universiade should have just gone with #RealMemories.  Because that is what anyone who was fortunate enough to participate in it will carry with them forever.

EXTRA NOTES...

- The 2019 US National University Team featured seven players making their international bandy debuts: Natalie Baker (Oakdale, MN); Katie Calliguri (New Prague, MN); Abbie Canton (Otsego, MN); Ellie Cardinal (Burnsville, MN); Amber Galles (Prior Lake, MN); Emily Goff (Eagan, MN); and Lizzie Mewes (Minneapolis, MN).

- Four players on the 2019 US National University Team played in the 2015 F17 World Championship, in Roseville, MN: Siri Hanson (Minneapolis, MN); Lucy Kiernat (Minneapolis, MN); Finn Larson (Minneapolis, MN); and Erica Lieske (Minneapolis, MN).

- One player on the 2019 US National University Team had National Team experience: Mikayla Rogers (St. Paul, MN) played in the 2012 World Championship in Irkutsk, Russia and in the 2014 World Championship in Lappeenranta, Finland. She was on the National Team roster for the 2018 World Championship in Chengde, China, but had to miss due to illness.

- The US contingent also brought an FIB official to the 2019 Winter Universiade: Kelsey Kennedy (Eagan, MN) is a current player on the US National Team and has had the opportunity to officiate several international bandy tournaments – both men’s and women’s.

- US National Team manager, Katie Swor (South St. Paul, MN) made her coaching debut in the 2019 Winter Universiade, serving as the team’s head coach.

- Two parents came along on the trip: Brian Lieske (Erica); and Rick Mewes (Lizzie). Ironically, they both celebrated a birthday on the day the team left Minnesota to travel to Russia.

- The 2019 US National University Team was blessed to have incredible help from outside of USA Bandy at the 2019 Winter Universiade: team attache, Olga went above and beyond the call of duty, taking care of the group and always making sure that everyone had everything that they needed; USA Team athletic staff, most notably “Pistol Pete” did a wonderful job keeping everyone healthy, and also went above and beyond in making sure that everyone’s skates were sharp.

- March 9th, the day that the Americans faced off against Norway for the bronze medal, was also International Women’s Day and all female athletes and team leaders received flowers and chocolates from the Universiade organizers that morning at breakfast.  This was just another example of how no details were left out of this sensationally-planned event.

- From Wikipedia: For the first time, bandy was a sport at the program of the Universiade. It had bigger spectator crowds than any other sport.

I would like to take a moment to personally thank Katie and Magnus for bringing me along on this journey, and for giving me the incredible opportunity to serve as an assistant coach for this very special team at this extraordinary event.  This experience was unforgettable and I will forever feel blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of it.  Thanks also to people like Mikael Sandberg, and others from USA Bandy who made this trip possible from an organizational and financial standpoint, and to all who helped bring the roster to life by way of recruiting.  I would also like to thank the organizers and thousands of volunteers, who made the 2019 Winter Universiade the event of a lifetime and who welcomed the world to the beautiful city of Krasnoyarsk with open arms.  Even though we were literally on the other side of the globe, there wasn’t a single minute when Team USA did not feel at home, thanks to the hospitality that was shown to our group.  And finally, I’d like to thank the team.  Thank you, girls, for being the best group of athletes – and more importantly, the best group of people.  You played your hearts out on the ice, and you were an absolute blast to be around, off the ice.  I hope you all keep playing bandy because with you all in the mix, the future of our program is very bright!

- Sarah #30