RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- A bunch of U.S. collegians who didn't even have to try out for the team are one win away from Pan American Games gold.

Now all they have to do is beat the vaunted Cubans.

They aren't intimidated.

"It's an honor to be here in Rio wearing USA and it means everything to represent our country," closer Cory Satterwhite said yesterday after wins against Brazil and Mexico lifted the Americans into the gold-medal game. "The chance to win a gold over a powerhouse club is awesome. A bunch of experienced, battle-tested guys against us college guys.

		Highlights Day 5: Events Equestrian: Chris Hickey of Colora, Md., riding Regent, and Lauren Sammis (South Orange, N.J.), riding Sagacious HF, finished 1-2 in individual dressage equestrian. Swimming: Matt Patton (Charlotte, N.C.) won the men's 400 freestyle. ... The United States also took the women's 800 freestyle relay with Emily Kukors (Auburn, Wash.), Ava Ohlgren (Northville, Mich.), Katie Carroll (Toledo, Ohio) and Jessica Rodriguez (Aurora, Colo.). ... Rebecca Gusmao picked up a gold for Brazil in the 50-meter free in a Pan Ams record 25.05 second. Teammate Kaio Marcio also set a meet record in winning the 100 butterfly (52.05). Trap shooting: Josh Richmond (Hillsgrove, Pa.) and 2003 champion Jeff Holguin (Yorba Linda, Calif.) finished 1-2. Both are members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. Teams Pat Harris (Moorpark, Calif.) scored the tying goal with 11 minutes left as the U.S. men's field hockey squad tied Canada, 2-2. The Americans (0-1-1) need to win their final pool match against Netherlands Antilles (0-2) for any chance to advance to the semifinals. Star of the day Kathleen Hersey of Atlanta added the 100 butterfly gold to her victory in the 400-meter individual medley the previous day. Hersey is heading into her senior year in high school. She finished in a Pan Am record of 59.21 seconds. Of note All flags were at half-staff and not fully hoisted in medal ceremonies after organizers announced a three-day mourning period for the deadly plane crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil. At least 189 people died.

"And a lot of people are probably shocked that we're in it, but we feel we should be there and it should be a very good game. "

Satterwhite, of Mississippi, saved both games as the United States beat Brazil, 7-5, and Mexico, 2-1. When Cuba shut out Nicaragua, 4-0, it set up a final between the two rivals today.

"I'm excited for us to play for the gold, an opportunity that not everyone gets, especially when it happens only once every four years," catcher Preston Paramore of Arizona State said. "We're the youngest team here, so it's been a challenge all along.

"Cuba has the team that played in the World Baseball Classic and finished second to Japan. They're a solid team, but it's baseball and anything can happen"

Cuba has won the previous nine Pan Am golds by sending its top players to the event. The U.S. representatives rarely are in the same class as the Cubans, particularly in international experience.

But this group has gone through the tournament unbeaten, something not even the Cubans managed. The Americans beat Brazil, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Mexico, which in the opening round defeated Cuba.

So a team put together a month ago has a shot at dethroning the power. Two of the players just completed their freshman seasons: pitcher Ryan Berry of Rice and catcher Tommy Medica of Santa Clara. The rest just finished their sophomore years.

They didn't even have tryouts for the Pan Am Games. A selection committee from USA Baseball picked players based on their performance in college. The committee contacted coaches throughout the United States, focusing on flexibility.

That flexibility was apparent against Brazil, when Jordy Mercer of Oklahoma State, who also plays shortstop, came on in relief to pitch.

In other action, the women's volleyball team was eliminated from gold-medal contention when it fell to the host Brazilians, 25-13, 25-20, 25-20.

But the world champion women's water polo squad remained perfect with a 13-2 romp over Puerto Rico as Erika Figge scored on five of her six shots and Jaime Hipp saved 10 shots.

Two Pennsylvania cyclists finished 2-3 in the sprint behind Julio Herrera of Cuba. Silver went to Ben Barczewski of Allentown. Bronze was won by Andy Lakatosh of Trexlertown.