LIMA, Peru (Aug. 31, 2019) – The U.S. Para 7-a-Side National Team won the program’s first Parapan American Games medal with a dominating 7-0 win against Venezuela to claim the bronze at the 2019 tournament. Forwards Cameron DeLillo and Nick Mayhugh each scored twice, and the team’s three captains – Josh Brunais, David Garza and Seth Jahn – also tallied as the USA posted its fourth shutout in six matches. DeLillo led the tournament with nine goals in six games, while Mayhugh finished second with eight.
With the 7-a-Side’s bronze medal, Team USA finished with
185 total medals (58 gold, 62 silver, 65 bronze). The 7-a-Side NT finished fifth at the 2015 Games in Toronto.
The USA wasted little time getting on the front foot as Mayhugh tallied from the top of the box in the first minute of play and defender Brunais finished a DeLillo set-up to double the lead minutes later.
The game evened out a bit for the remainder of the half, but the USA essentially put the game away right off the second half whistle with two quick goals – Mayhugh’s strike followed by DeLillo’s first of the day that made it 4-0.
Centerback Garza then made it 5-0 with a spectacular volley, DeLillo added his second, and veteran Seth Jahn closed out the scoring in the final minute with his fifth of the tournament.
Goalkeeper Sean Boyle won his third game and posted his second clean sheet after backup GK Marc Estrella won both of his starts in goal without conceding in either.
The bronze continues the positive trend the Para 7-a-Side National Team has been on in recent international tournaments, having finished third at the 2018 IFCPF America’s Championship in Ecuador and sixth at the 2019 IFCPF World Cup in Spain.
