NEU » Bulldogs ahead after a deflected shot found its w

RIO DE JANEIRO -- One by one, as best they could, Emanuele Birarellis teammates made their way over to him for a hug or handshake.Their captain lay on the sideline with his right ankle elevated and freshly taped. He was injured in the third set of Italys 28-26, 20-25, 25-23, 25-23 victory over the United States on Tuesday, and his status for Thursdays preliminary match against Mexico is unclear.Whatever happens, Italy believes in its deep bench. The players assured their 35-year-old leader he need not worry.We have to wait the night. It seems swollen. Serious for sure, but we will see how it works, coach Gianlorenzo Blengini said. I have a team of 12 players.Birarelli was part of the Italian group that won a bronze medal four years ago at the London Olympics. On Tuesday, he pumped his right fist from his spot on the floor in one corner of the court at Maracanazinho arena. He motioned his hand back and forth to signal he felt so-so.The Americans -- ranked fifth in the world with eight first-time Olympians -- had to contend with a raucous crowd chanting Italy! They responded from a startling sweep by Canada in their Olympic opener two days earlier with a far more steady performance and improved serving, but it wasnt enough against powerful Italy.With the score tied at 23 in the fourth set, U.S. star Matt Anderson served into the net to give Italy match point. The Italians, ranked fourth in the world, closed it out to move to 2-0 in Rio. Birarelli stood and limped along, and teammate Simone Buti rushed over to embrace him.We are a team, Buti said. Injury, when it happens, its important to stay together.In London, Italy stunned the top-seeded U.S. in straight sets and eliminated the Americans in the quarterfinals before losing to silver medalist Brazil in the semifinals.Now, the winless Americans must figure out how to play better in a hurry because Brazil is up next Thursday night. They spent part of the off day Monday having a heart-to-heart talk, discussing what went wrong in the 3-0 loss to Canada on Sunday.U.S. coach John Speraw went with a youth movement from the start of this Olympic cycle and has known all along there would be growing pains. But to avoid an early exit from Brazil, things must come together now.The Americans won last years World Cup and didnt face the pressure of a last-ditch Olympic qualifier that might have prepared them for the task in Rio.For them to step out on this court with the balance between the moment and the expectation while being as inexperienced as they are, its been a really challenging thing for a lot of our young guys, Speraw said. This is what we signed up for. We knew this four years ago what we were going to do, and here we are. Its a tough journey.This is a strange position for U.S. captain and third-time Olympian David Lee, a gold medalist at the 2008 Beijing Games. He has never been in the hole of an Olympic tournament in the group stage. He is trying to support his young teammates.I feel like these guys have the weight of the world on their shoulders because they dont want to let down these older players, (Reid) Priddys last Olympics, my last Olympics, Lee said. Ive never made them feel any pressure like that. I feel like weve created a culture we want these guys to feel free and be themselves, use that youth to your advantage and come out with fire and passion. I feel like theyre kind of crushed right now, theyre down. But theyre getting better. Terry Crowley Jersey .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Hoyt Wilhelm Jersey . Miikka Kiprusoff had just announced his retirement after a decade-long run in Calgary and it would be up to Berra and Ramo to fill the void. https://www.cheaporioles.com/1518i-jack-fisher-jersey-orioles.html . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Jim Palmer Jersey . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. Bob Johnson Jersey . Ashley Youngs cross was inadvertently headed by Chester into his own net in the 66th minute, allowing United to claim a third straight league win. "We had to dig deep with our fighting spirit and weve done that," United striker Wayne Rooney said. CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Lifted by two goals and a stout defensive performance, the Mississippi State soccer team downed host College of Charleston, 2-0, to open the season in the winning column.The game between the Bulldogs (1-0, 0-0) and Cougars (0-1, 0-0) was slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. CT, but a lightning delay pushed Friday nights start time to 8:15 p.m. CT.MSU received scores from freshman Johanna Hamblett and junior Khalyn Harmon in the win, as both picked up their first career goals.Its always tough to start the season on the road and our team played great tonight, head coach Aaron Gordon said. Going back to our two exhibitions, we have scored six goals in our last three games so thats a big step for us. Im happy with the result tonight against College of Charleston, but are now turning our focus to Virginia Tech.The opening period of play was dominated by MSU, as the Bulldogs used pressure to attack the Cougars for most of the first 40 minutes. The Bulldogs efforts finally paid off however in the 43rd minute, as New Zealand native Hamblett found the back of the net after her shot was deflected in.Much like the first period, the Bulldogs waited until the final portion to score. In the 84th minute, junior Harmon scorched the ball from right to left past the Cougar goalkeeper, after a perfect assist from Mallory Eubanks.Defense Stands Tall Again:?Junior Tanya de Souza collected 11 saves at goal, as the junior earned her first clean sheet of the season. Also pivotal in the defensive effort was MSUs back line of Kiley Martens, Courtney Robicheaux, Ari Holmes and Harmon, who all played big minutes in the shutout win.Welcome To The Show: Freshmen played a big part in the win for the Maroon and White, as five freshmen saw their first official action of the season. MaKayla Waldner and Johanna Hamblett both earned starts on Friday, as the two continued to shine for Gordons squad.Goal Scoring Rundown: MSU - Johanna Hamblett (43:32) In her first official start as a Bulldog, New Zealand native Hamblett, put the Bulldogs ahead after a deflected shot found its way past a diving Lauren Killian of College of Charleston.ddddddddddddMSU - Khalyn Harmon (84:34) Fellow junior Mallory Eubanks found a sprinting Harmon on the right wing, as the Ocean Springs native took the pass and buried her opportunity to put MSU up, 2-0.Additional Notes: The 2-0 decision was MSUs first season-opening victory since 2012 (vs. SELU, 2-1)The victory was the first road-opener win since 2010 (at UT Martin, 2-1)Going back to the exhibition games, MSU has outscored opponents 6-0 in the last three contests.MSU received minutes from 19 players in the winFreshmen MaKayla Waldner, Johanna Hamblett, Alexa England, McKenna de Graaf and Emily Malone all made their first official appearances of their MSU careers.Head Coach Aaron Gordon Quotes: Its always tough to start the season on the road and our team played great tonight, head coach Aaron Gordon said. Going back to our two exhibitions, we have scored six goals in our last three games so thats a big step for us. Im happy with the result tonight against College of Charleston, but are now turning our focus to Virginia Tech.We found some things we need to work on after the win, but you always have those this earlier in the season, Gordon said. Im also pleased with Tanya de Souzas performance, who made some incredible saves to preserve the shutout.Freshman Johanna Hamblett Quotes:We had five minutes left in the first half and we needed a goal, Johanna Hamblett said about her score. We had to get something because we were pressing so hard. So when the opportunity came I had to take it. I was just at the right place at the right time and I just had to smash it. It was an awesome feeling.Up Next: MSU prepares for No. 17 Virginia Tech on Sunday at 10 a.m. CT, who defeated LSU, 1-0 earlier in Charleston. ' ' '