Daily Disney: Champion Challenge Blog

by Paul Krome | Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff

Photo Gallery

The fourth annual Champion® Challenge, A US Lacrosse event, is this weekend at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The U.S. women's national team program, training for the 2009 World Cup in Prague, will host NCAA Division I programs Duke, Maryland and Virginia, Division II Rollins College, the University of Florida's WDIA club team and the Japanese national team.

Pining for warmer climes? Lacrosse Magazine editor Paul Krome has you covered. Check this blog for updates throughout the weekend.

Tension Palpable

Sunday, Feb. 1 | posted at 7 p.m.

It’s quiet inside Orlando International Airport, except for a dozen or so Steeler fans pointlessly shouting at a television inside the bar as their team battles Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII. My guess is, if you’re reading this now on the new laxmagazine.com (pretty sporty, no?), you’re not interested in football or parties, or you’re one of Earth’s legions of Squeeler haters like me, and you would rather do anything else, including work, than watch this franchise compete in and probably win another Super Bowl.

I’m with ya.

Japan defeated Rollins College, 19-7, in the final game of the Champion Challenge, a US Lacrosse event.

I spoke with U.S. Elite team midfielder Acacia Walker (Maryland ’05) after her squad routed Duke, 16-3, today. She, and others on the team, talked about how close this team has become over the last several months. Perhaps naively, I took all that to mean these ladies would be happy for each other no matter who made the World Cup team, each content to have put forth a good account of herself in front of World Cup coaches.

“This is one of the closest-knit teams I’ve ever been on, and I’ve been playing for years,” she said.

Acacia starred at Maryland and is now an assistant coach at Massachusetts. Given all she’s been through, including this weekend, I asked her if she still got nervous.

“Are you kidding? Of course,” she said. “I remember when I was a freshman in high school. I said to my parents that one day I wanted to play on the U.S. team. All of us have been working for this our whole life. This is the ultimate.”

As luck would have it, I ran into her parents here at the airport not long ago. Her father, Joe, said the team members are “like this,” crossing his fingers. Many were in tears after their final huddle, not knowing when or if they’d play together again.

So we shouldn't lost sight of the fact that this weekend was in fact a tryout. Jimmy Buffett sings that "Come Monday, it'll be all right." For 18 participants this weekend, yes. But for dozens of others, primarily six from the Elite team, there will be considerable disappointment.

Heether: Selections Announced Monday

Will Kristen Kjellman, pictured here in a Champion Challenge exhibition against Duke, earn one of the hotly-contested 18 World Cup roster spots? We'll know Monday. (John Strohsacker/LaxPhotos.com) Champion Challenge Photo Gallery

Sunday, Feb. 1 | posted at  3:25 p.m.

Transcribing some interviews that followed the U.S. Elite team's 16-3 win over Duke. Midway through the first half, Japan leads Rollins College, 5-2, in the Champion Challenge's final game.

We're all looking forward to the announcement of the 18-player 2009 U.S. World Cup team roster. Because of that interest, here's what head coach Sue Heether had to say about the selection process, verbatim:

"Because of flight services, it’ll be done tonight or tomorrow morning within the staff. Alternates will be called tomorrow morning. As soon as the six alternates are called, an e-mail will go out to the Developmental and World Cup Training teams announcing everyone who made it. It should be to you by noon, hopefully."

In this case, "you" is me or any of the other yahoos I work with in the US Lacrosse communications department. Assuming a noon-time hoops game doesn't materialize, we'll get the press release out to media and posted at www.uslacrosse.org and www.laxmagazine.com as soon as we can after we're notified. Kidding. Director of Communications Brian Logue has limited his involvement in basketball to coaching his son's rec team on weekends, so regardless of my presence or Matt DaSilva's presence in the office around lunch time, the release will go out as soon as we get the names.

Crisp Day, Crisp Offense for U.S. Elite
Sunday, Feb. 1 | posted at 2:28 p.m.

In its last appearance before Mickey, Minnie and the 150 or so fans enjoying some early spring-like weather, the U.S. Elite team has turned this one into a rout. It's 16-3 with under seven minutes to play. Not counting the matchup against the Devo team, this is the best the Elite's offense has clicked all weekend. Ten of the 16 goals have been assisted. Munday's got four helpers, and Hilary Bowen is having a strong game with two goals and three assists. Sarah Albrecht has added three goals. The win is in hand. More later today following some interviews. Japan and Rollins College draw on the main field at 3 p.m. or whenever this one wraps up.

Cryer, USA Pulling Away
Sunday, Feb. 1 | posted at 2:10 p.m.

U.S. attacker Caroline Cryer continues to torch her Duke teammates. She's got four goals and an assist (her second straight five-point game), and she's helped the USA pull away from the Blue Devils, 8-3, with about 15 minutes to play. She's making a great last impression on coaches. Lindsey Munday has three assists fo r the U.S., which has been finding holes in Duke's defense thus far this half. Duke goalie Kim Imbesi hasn't played poorly. The Devils are being hurt more by turnovers on clear attempts.

Halftime Score Updates
Sunday, Feb. 1 | posted at 1:40 p.m.

Caroline Cryer's goal and assist have helped the U.S. Elite team take the lead at halftime, 3-0. The intensity is still there for both teams, but the Blue Devils haven't mustered much offensively. Amy Altig started in goal for the U.S. and made three saves in 20 minutes. On Field 2, the U.S. Developmental team hung on for a win over Maryland, 14-10.

Pressure Cooker
Sunday, Feb. 1 | posted at 1:20 p.m.

There's a little more intensity in this one. Duke and the U.S. Elite squad are pressuring each other throughout the midfield. The intensity could be in part due to some familiarity. Caroline Cryer put the U.S. up 1-0 4:31 into the game when she converted a Lindsey Munday feed. Any other weekend this season, and Cryer would be helping her Duke teammates as a senior leader. Later, Duke's Carolyn Davis went to the goal but was thwarted by defender Amber Falcone, who'll likely be doing the same when her Tar Heels meet the Blue Devils in their ACC rivalry. We stand at 1-0 U.S. midway through the half.

Last Chance to Shine
Sunday, Feb. 1 | posted at 12:50 p.m.

The U.S. Elite team and Duke are warming up for their final games of the weekend. This is the last chance for the Americans to impress their coaches. Virginia just beat Japan, 18-12, and the Devo team leads Maryland at halftime, 5-4.
Johnson Makes Presence Known in Maryland Debut
Sunday, Feb. 1 | posted at 11:45 a.m.

Maryland freshman midfielder Karri Ellen Johnson enrolled last fall with some impressive lacrosse credentials. The Broadneck (Md.) High School product helped the 2007 U.S. Under-19 team capture the IFWLA world championship in British Columbia. Last year, she scored 45 goals and added 21 assists for the Bruins, good enough for first-team US Lacrosse All-America honors.

One game in against some of the world's best players, Johnson has lived up to her resume. She scored twice and added a couple draw controls in the Terps' 17-7 loss to the U.S. Elite team. Johnson made her presence known on both ends of the field. She earned a yellow card for an illegal check during a nine-minute stretch of the second half when Maryland held the Americans scoreless.

"She’s a really solid attacker for us," said Terrapin coach Cathy Reese. "She’s a strong player inside. She can shoot and finish. She’s got good stickwork and finds her openings. We’re really excited for her for this year and the next four years."

At halftime, Virginia leads Japan, 8-7. On Field 2, Maryland and the U.S. Developmental team are warming up for a noon draw.

Boxed In
Sunday, Feb. 1 | posted at 11:05 a.m.

The 11 a.m. game has Team Japan squaring off against Virginia. It's 2-1 Japan early. Here are rough box scores from this morning's U.S. games.

U.S. Elite 17, Maryland 7
Maryland 4 + 3 = 7
USA 11 + 6 = 17

Maryland Scoring: Sarah Mollison (2g, 2a), Karri Ellen Johnson (2g), Brandi Jones (2g), Amanda Spinnenweber (1g)
USA Scoring:  Caroline Cryer (3g, 2a), Quinn Carney (3g), Sarah Bullard (2g, 1a), Hilary Bowen (2g), Katie Chrest (2g), Whitney Douthett (2g), Lindsey Munday (2a), Katie Rowan (1g, 1a), Erica LaGrow (1g), Holly McGarvie (1g), Jessica Lieb (1a)

Maryland Goalies: Mary Jordan (30min, 11 GA, 3svs), Lynne Cooper (30min, 6 GA, 1sv)
USA Goalies: Amy Altig (20min, 2 GA, 3svs), Megan Huether (20min, 3 GA, 3svs), Devon Wills (20min, 2 GA, 4svs)

U.S. Developmental 12, Duke 8

Duke Scoring: Megan Del Monte (2g, 2a), Morgan Miller (2g, 1a), Carolyn Davis (1g, 1a), Emma Hamm (1g), Amanda Jones (1g), Kim Wenger (1g), Jessica Adam (1a), Christie Kaestner (1a).
USA Scoring:  Jillian Byers (2g, 3a), Lindsay Lewis (2g, 2a), Amy Appelt (2g, 1a), Kelly Berger (2g), Sarah Dalton (2a), Christina Dove (1g), Hillary Fratzke (1g), Lindsay Gilbride (1g), Halley Quillinan (1g)

USA Goalies: Julie Wadland (5svs), Kendall McBrearty (2svs)
Duke Goalies: Kim Imbesi (9svs)

Score Updates and Note about Team Announcement
Sunday, Feb. 1 | posted at 10:20 a.m.

Late in the second half of both contests, both U.S. teams are in control. The Elite team leads Maryland, 17-7, with under two minutes left. The Devo squad leads Duke, 12-7, with about the same time left. Caroline Cryer (3g, 2a) and Quinn Carney (3g) are leading the Elite team.

For the record, U.S. coaches haven't said exactly when they'll select and release the 18-player World Cup roster. Could be today here at Disney. Could be tomorrow. My money's on the latter. The official release will come from US Lacrosse. Might be a bit too early for speculation since there are more games today, but Duke sophomore and Elite team midfielder Sarah Bullard has been very impressive. Rarely is she the leading scorer on the team, but her motor doesn't stop, and she's got the energy to fuel it. Her athleticism would be much needed in the World Cup

Morning Coffee and Score Updates
Sunday, Feb. 1 | posted at 9:45 a.m.

Virginia got its first game-type action of the season yesterday afternoon, playing the U.S. Developmental team to an 11-11 tie and following that immediately with an 8-3 loss to the U.S. Elite team. Blair Weymouth had two goals and assist in the nightcap, in which the Cavs played at a fairly slow tempo with the occasional exception. After a largely lackluster effort against Team Japan a couple hours earlier, the U.S. Elite team ratcheted up its pace and pressure for much of the game.

"Obviously there are parts of the game we just haven't been able to practice yet - transition being the main game," said Cavalier head coach  Julie Myers. "The pressure on every possession for us was huge. We've never been able to create that in practice."

This is the earliest Virginia has scrimmaged, and Myers said some Cavs were still recovering from the flu. That combo showed at times. Still, there was ample evidence to support  LM's preseason No. 8 ranking and to give Myers optimism.

Weymouth negotiated the U.S. Elite team's defense well enough, a good showing in her first test of an ankle injured last year.

"Blair obviously did well," said Myers. "She missed all of fall because she was rehabbing an ankle reconstruction, so it was nice to see her back in the mix."

"Katie Shannon, coming out on defense, had a lot of ground balls and created a lot of opportunities. Jenny Hauser, when she got in, did a nice job. Our attack, we moved the ball and had some opportunities. I felt like we were in the right spots. What we need to hit in the next couple weeks is completing the field - getting the ball from one end of the field to the other."

Virginia's defense yielded 19 goals to probably two of the more potent offenses it will see all season long, which drew praise from Myers.

"I'm really optimistic," said Myers. "This was a great opportunity to play against some U.S. programs that are obviously legitimate."

The U.S. Elite team leads Maryland 11-5 early in the second half. Sarah Bullard, Quinn Carney and Caroline Cryer have two goals each for the U.S. Kari Ellen Johnson has scored twice for the Terrapins.  The Devo team leads Duke, 9-4, about seven minutes into the second half.

Not Fearing the Turtle
Sunday, Feb. 1 | posted at 9:05 a.m.

The U.S. Elite team once again has gotten balanced scoring in a game. Five players have scored to stake the U.S. to a 5-0 lead 10 minutes into their match against the Terps, who look a little slow this morning. Michele DeJuliis again is watching from the sidelines on krutches, but she's still under consideration for making the World Cup roster. On Field 2, the Devo team leads Duke, 2-0, about midway through the half.

Super Sunday
Sunday, Feb. 1 | posted at 8:40 a.m.

Good morning on this Super Bowl Sunday. I've been able to move upstairs, so to speak. There's a makeshift tower at midfield with an equal vantage point of Hess Sports Fields 1 and 2 -- both of which will be in use for games of this final day of Champion Challenge, a US Lacrosse event. Finishing warmups now on Field 1 are the U.S. Elite team and Maryland. On Field 2, the U.S. Developmental team draws against Duke. Both games start at 8:45 a.m.

Elite Defense Rebounds Against Cava
Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 6:13 p.m.

The U.S. Elite team is on its way to a workmanlike victory over the Virginia Cavaliers. The Americans lead, 8-2, with under two minutes to play. Unlike their earlier effort against Japan, the Elite team's defense has been stellar all over the field for all of the game. Interviews to follow after the the game. By the way, it's 43 degrees out here. Check back later tonight or tomorrow for more.

Elite-Virginia Halftime Update

Lindsey Munday tries to make her case for the 2009 U.S. World Cup team this weekend at Champion Challenge in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Team USA survived a scare from Japan and will whittle its roster down to 18 following the event. (John Strohsacker/LaxPhotos.com)

Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 6:13 p.m.

In an otherwise non-descript half, Virginia got one good fast break with about 6:30 to play. Someone found Ashley McCulloch just over midfield. She turned and fired a laser to Blair Weymouth, who beat U.S. goalie Devon Wills to get the Cavs on the board. That's certainly not a new combination for anyone following women's lacrosse over the last three years. The senior duo should prove critical for Virginia's success this season. At halftime, the U.S. Elite team leads, 3-1.

USA Jumps Ahead, 3-0
Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 5:55 p.m.

Quinn Carney has scored twice to help the U.S. Elite team to a 3-0 lead over Virginia with 13:37 left in the first half. The temperature is dropping with the sun, and the field is a little more slippery after a day of practices and games.

Cavs' Doubleheader Continues; Scoreless Early vs. Elite
Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 5:40 p.m.

It's back-to-back duty for the Virginia Cavaliers. About 20 minutes after playing the U.S. Developmental team to an 11-11 standstill, they're back on the field in the final game of the day against the U.S. Elite team. Nine minutes in, you can tell both teams have played recently. There's been a healthy dose of ragged play, turnovers and whistles, and there's no score.

"Who Are We?"
Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 5:10 p.m.

Japan led the U.S. Elite team, 10-8, when midfielder Kristen Kjellman scored to cut the lead to one with 18:54 remaining. At that point, Japan head coach Takeshi Sato called a timeout, perhaps sensing a run by the Americans. He was right.

In one of Team USA's most closely contested matches against an international team other than Australia, six different goal scorers fueled a 9-1 game-closing run, lifting the Americans to a 17-11 win over a Japanese team that had just throttled the Florida Gators, 24-0.

"In that timeout, a lot of people were saying different things," said midfielder Sarah Bullard. "The thing was, `Who are we?' We're the USA. That's what's written on our jerseys. It's time for us to step up and take control of this game.'"

Bullard scored her lone goal in the first half, but she was one of a few Americans who played at a consistently up-tempo pace. The U.S. played in somewhat of a fog throughout the first half and some of the second, committing lazy fouls and silly turnovers.

"I don't think we were mentally prepared," said U.S. Elite team assistant coach Jennifer Ulehla. "Japan has improved immensely, and they wanted that game, obviously."

Kjellman led the U.S. with three goals, all in the second half. She also drew a yellow card in the half, which continued a problem that plagued the team noticeably. Japan's quickness proved troublesome for U.S. defenders at times, and poor footwork led to illegal checks. Six of the game's nine yellow cards were against the U.S.

"We continue to have that problem, obviously," said Ulehla. "We weren't focused and ready to play. Then push came to shove and, with 10 minutes left, we were like, `OK, we have to win this game.'"

Sachiko Nomura scored four goals to key Japan's offense, including two in the first 11 minutes that forced a U.S. timeout and the marker that tied the game at 8 three minutes into the second half. But the Americans got a very balanced scoring effort throughout the day. Eleven players scored goals, and when the team emerged from its malaise midway through the second half, it began clicking on offense thanks to better -- and more legal -- play while guarding Japanese players. Katie Rowan put the Americans up for good at 12-11 on a fast-break goal that game after a good outlet pass from Amber Falcone at the 12:07 mark. Just over a minute later, Katie Chrest (2g, 1a) fed a cutting Whitney Douthett (1g, 1a) for another goal that righted the U.S. team's ship.

"It's a sign of a good team," said Ulehla. "They came out and handed it to us. It was a good experience for our players to feel that pressure."

Scroll down for a box score.

Americans Pull Away from Japan, 17-11
Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 4:10 p.m.

Funny what a sense of urgency will do to a team. The U.S. overcame a game effort from Team Japan, pulling away for a 17-11 win. Trailing by two midway through the half, the Americans rallied behind increased pressure and cruised for the game's final few minutes. The U.S. Developmental team and Virginia are playing now, with the U.S. ahead 6-3 midway through the first half. Here's a bare-bones box score of the Elite-Japan game:

U.S. Elite 17, Japan 11
Japan 7 + 4 = 11
USA 8 + 9 = 17

Japan Scoring:  Sachiko Nomura (4g), Miho Asai (2g), Kazumi Sugo (2g), Misa Maejima (1g, 1a), Sachiyo Yamada (1g), Akiko Wada (1g), Aya Sawada (1a)
USA Scoring: Kristen Kjellman (3g), Katie Chrest (2g, 1a), Lindsey Munday (2g, 1a), Caroline Cryer (2g), Katie Rowan (2g), Whitney Douthett (1g, 1a), Sarah Albrecht (1g), Sarah Bullard (1g), Quinn Carney (1g), Nikki Lieb (1g), Acacia Walker (1g)

USA Goalies: Amy Altig (17min, 3GA, 1sv), Megan Huether (19min, 6GA), Devon Wills (24min, 2GA, 2sv)

U.S. Reclaims Lead, 13-11
Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 2:50 p.m.

The Americans have stepped their intensity, emotions and defensive pressure, particularly on Japanese clearing opportunities. The U.S. has gotten balanced scoring all day, and that's continued with five different players scoring to put the Americans up, 13-11, with under 10 minutes to play, after Japan surged to a 10-8 lead.

Japan Up 10-9 Mid 2nd Half
Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 2:20 p.m.
Japan has stepped up, and with the Americans making some silly fouls and sloppy turnovers, the Land of the Rising Sun surged to a 10-8 lead 10 minutes into the second half. Kazumi Sugo's second goal of the game provided that margin, before Kristen Kjellman scored with 18:54 to play to bring the U.S. within 10-9.

Elite-Japan Halftime Update
Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 2:20 p.m.

It's halftime, and the U.S. Elite team leads Japan, 8-7. This game is every bit as close as the score would indicate. The Japanese players are skilled and quick, and they are not intimidated by being on the same field as the Americans. Umpires have called seven yellow cards, four on the U.S. Japan finally capitalized on a player advantage when Misa Maejima scored while moving to her left in front of goalie Megan Huether with 2:48 remaining, finishing off a four-goal Japanese run for a 7-6 lead. The U.S. has scored two goals with a player advantage. The Americans closed with a player-down goal from Linsday Munday on an assist from Whitney Douthett, then they reclaimed the lead when Munday fed Sarah Albrecht with 9.1 seconds to play. U.S. team manager Chip Rogers says this is the closest the Japanese have ever played the U.S.

Physical, Tie Game Early
Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 1:45 p.m.

Ten  minutes into the U.S. Elite team/Japan matchup, and we've had six goals and five yellow cards. Sachiko Nomura just scored her second goal of the half to tie the game at 3 with 19:34 remaining, prompting the U.S. to call a timeout. Two of the USA's goals came while Japan had to play down one player due to its third yellow card of the half. Amy Altig got the start in goal for the U.S. The Americans have received two yellow cards, one on the defensive end, forcing coach Sue Heether to emphasize to a group of subs that better footwork is needed.

Elite vs. Japan
Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 1:30 p.m.

The U.S. Elite team is about to draw against Team Japan. The captains just met, and Michele DeJuliis (Penn State '98) just limped out to midfield on krutches, her right foot sans a shoe. Game updates forthcoming.

Morning Coffee
Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 11:15 a.m.

Orlando-based freelance photographer Scott McCall, a regular contributor to Lacrosse Magazine, stopped by for a chat. He doubles as a lacrosse coach in the area and a father of four. When the subject turned to the growth of the sport in Central Florida, he brought up some points about boys' participation and other sports and was another in a long line of coaches to espouse multi-sport participation by lacrosse athletes:

"We've got over 120 kids in our local youth program registered thus far for this spring," McCall said. That's about 10 times the number of participants he welcomed when he and his family moved to Orlando from Delaware in 1999. McCall grew up playing football and lacrosse in upstate New York.

"I'd almost rather they play an organized sport in the fall, even if it meant not coming out for fall lacrosse," he said. "That's what we did."

McCall on football players he sees in his youth recreation program: "They have good footwork from playing defense in football, and they're physical. Sometimes they start a little over-physical, but once they realize that the stick is not their primary weapon, they turn into some of the best defenders we have."

On basketball players: "We don't get a lot of them, but they are very understanding of offensive schemes in lacrosse."

On soccer players: They can run all day, but it takes some of them a little longer to understand some of the offensive concepts."

So much for international relations. Team Japan just concluded a 24-0 shutout of the Florida Gators' WDIA team on Field 2.

Maryland just wrapped up a practice session. Volunteer assistant coach Brian Reese is the husband of head coach Cathy Reese. Many know Brian as the head coach/GM of the MLL's Denver Outlaws. I know him as the recently departed director of sport development at US Lacrosse.

I spent three days with the Outlaws last summer, and Brian can be fiery as any head coach on occasion. To see him help coach the Terps while holding one of the three Reese children is an interesting juxtaposition, to say the least.

Other Terrapins help watch the kids. I asked Brian if paying them babysitter fees would constitute an NCAA violation.

"If you're too hurt to practice, you watch the kids. That's he deal," he joked.

Friends or Foes?
Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 11 a.m.
How would you handle it?

A roster spot on the team representing your country is at stake. You can showcase your individual practices all you want, but now you're playing games as a team. Take your defender to the goal and try to score yourself? Or bypass a good shot opportunity to feed a teammate with a better one?

That's a dynamic that faces the 48 U.S. Elite and Developmental team players at Champion Challenge. Many have strengthened friendships. Each has the talent to make the final round of tryouts for 18 coveted roster spots. The roster announcement is forthcoming in a matter of days.

"It's hard to put that [announcement] out of your head, but you have to play," said Devon Wills (Dartmouth '06), one of three goalies on the Elite team. "We can be just as close and support each other when we're not in the cage, but when you're in the cage, you have to prove yourself."

"We're seeing it. The pressure's on, and there's a different air around the team," said U.S. World Cup coach Sue Heether, no stranger to winning goalie competitions as a player on previous World Cup teams.

"They're feeling the pressure, but I've been extremely proud of how they've been treating each other under that pressure. It's hard to be as team oriented as they've been, on the last weekend of tryouts, but still looking to their left and their right and saying, `I'm going to help you be you, but at the bottom line, I've gotta beat you out because I want to make this team.'  They've got to be OK being happy for whatever happens. It's really a unique situation."

Daily Disney: Day 2
Saturday, Jan. 31 | posted at 9:30 a.m.

Good morning from Hess Field at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. I wanted a winter getaway. I woke up to a wind chill advisory for the Orlando area. At least the sun is shining. Allegedly, the temperatures should warm to near 60 today.

Today we'll get our first game-look at the college teams in attendance. A U.S. national team clinic is about to start for area girls' lacrosse players. U.S. World Cup coach Sue Heether and Elite team goalie had some interesting comments after last night's 22-8 win over the Devo team about the unique dynamic facing the Americans -- competing for individual roster spots while also wanting to play well together to win games. Stay tuned for updates, provided my fingers thaw at a faster rate than thus far this morning.

Stop the Fight
Friday, Jan. 30 | posted at 8:15 p.m.

There's always anticipation for Elite-Devo matchups, much like wondering how a big sister-little sister fight will turn out. You want to stick around long enough to see if the little sister can pull an upset.

Ain't happenin'.

It's midway through the second half, and the Elite squad has extended its lead to 19-5. The Devo unit looks overmatched, probably no thanks to having just played a game at 5 p.m.

But it's safe to say the Elite team is going to hang on in this one. The makeshift press table we constructed past the corner of one endzone isn't exactly conducive to being able to see the action and provide in-game updates. So I'm gonna head over to the team benches, watch the game and do some interviews. Check back for more later tonight or tomorrow.
Elite Leads Devo at Half, 14-4
Friday, Jan. 30 | posted at 7:50 p.m.

Three goals apiece from Whitney Douthett (Dartmouth '07) and Acacia Walker (Maryland '05) have staked the U.S. Elite team to a 14-4 halftime lead over the Developmental squad before a chilly 150 fans at Hess Field. Duke senior Caroline Cryer has two goals and isn't showing any ill effects from the knee injury that caused her to miss the 2008 season. Syracuse senior Katie Rowan also has two markers for the Elite team. Devon Wills (Dartmouth '06) played the first half for the Elite team.

Lindsay Lewis (BU '06) scored twice for the Developmental squad.

Noticeable by her absence due to a leg injury is the Elite team's Michele DeJuliis (Penn State '98).
Japanese Coach Sato: These Are Not the Same Americans
Friday, Jan. 30 | posted at 7:30 p.m.
Takeshi Sato wiped his brow as he walked to the sideline following the exchange of gifts after his Japanese squad fell to the U.S. Developmental team, 22-1, in the first game of the fourth annual Champion Challenge. He looked beat. These weren't the same Americans he faced in 2005, when as an assistant coach for Team Japan, he helped his country to a respectable fifth-place finish in the IFWLA World Cup.

"Very fast," he said, bypassing a Japanese photographer who had volunteered to serve as an interpreter.

Indeed, the Americans pushed the pace throughout their runaway victory. While it's tough to compare this year's Devo squad to the 2005 World Cup team, the latter lacked the athletes that the U.S. Elite and Devo teams have this year.

Sato wasn't discouraged, though, and took a few minutes for an interview through an interpreter.

"We have improved in a lot of areas, but compared to the improvement of the American team, we're not as good as they are," Sato said.

And again, he added in English: "Very young."

Like most international squads, Japan's roster for the World Cup is not finalized, and the Japanese brought 25 players to Orlando. Defenders Sachiyo Yamada and Nao Watanabe, midfielder Risa Matsui, and attackers Akiko Wada and Kana Uwai have experience from the 2005 World Cup.

Sato had much more of a pool to select the 25 players, as participation in Japan continues to grow.

"There are 10,000 players in Japan now, and we're still growing," he said.

U.S. Finishes Rout, 22-1
Friday, Jan. 30 | posted at 7 p.m.

No surprise here. The U.S. Developmental team finished its rout of Team Japan, 22-1. The second half was largely played on the Americans' offensive end. Kelly Berger (James Madison '07) scored twice in the half, including a goal after an impressive catch on a feed from Aly Josephs with 12:06 remaining. On at least two occasions, the Japanese had to play down a player due to excessive yellow cards. Probably the most impressive thing about the half was Josephs' stick skills. Twice she was able to wiggle her way out of double- or triple-teams. She executed a brilliant setup pass to a cutting Colleen McCaffrey (Johns Hopkins freshman), who was fouled before she could shoot. McCaffrey converted a free-position shot moments later for the 22-1 final.

Nice touch of sportsmanship typical of international events: after the game, the squads exchanged gifts at midfield. The Americans gave the Japanese USA pins, and the Japanese offered a neat women's team bumper sticker in the form of a throwing star.

Devo Halftime Update
Friday, Jan. 30 | posted at 5:45 p.m.

At halftime of the first game of the Champion Challenge, the U.S. Developmental team leads Team Japan, 15-1. Lindsay Lewis (Boston University '06) is leading the way with four goals, and Duke junior Lindsay Gilbride and Aly Josephs (Northwestern '07) have two goals apiece.

The Rule of (International) Law
Friday, Jan. 30 | posted at 5:45 p.m.
Dozens of elite women's lacrosse athletes, and I choose to write about the umpires first. Must be the basketball official in me. There's an unspoken connection among those of us who wear stripes.

Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) women's rules are being used for the Champion Challenge, and that typically requires some adjustments - and involves some complaints - from some of the college players and coaches here.

But one group that's happy about the use of international rules is the umpires. Given the paucity of international events in the United States each year, Champion Challenge represents a rare opportunity for umpires to gain or retain their international rating.

"Unless it's at an international event, we don't get to officiate games using international rules much, and we have to be evaluated in those games in order to get re-rated," said Nancy Coffman, an internationally-rated umpire and one of eight who will work the 12 games of Champion Challenge.

Coffman will work six games in less than 48 hours, thanks in part to a reduced umpire core (12 were originally scheduled to participate).

"I've been running a lot, but game shape is something different. We'll see what happens," said Coffman.

She'll be joined this weekend by fellow Americans Lauren Charwat, Rala Heinen and Jodi Michna, by Mary McKnight and Wendy Reynolds of Scotland, by Kim Abrams of the Haudenosaunee and by Shihoko Kijima of Japan.

I'm told the umpires for the 2009 FIL Women's World Cup have been selected. An announcement is forthcoming.

The Magic Kingdom
Friday, Jan. 30 | posted at 3:15 p.m.

Amidst a party cloudy sky with a nice breeze and temperatures refreshingly in the upper 50s, welcome to the Hess Sports Fields at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex for the fourth annual Champion Challenge, a US Lacrosse event. The freezing conditions of Baltimore, along with a couple dozen partying Pittsburgh Steeler fans on this morning's flight down to Orlando, are safely behind us. It feels like early-season lacrosse, and that's why we're here.

This is an important event on a number of levels. Primarily, the next 48 hours will determine who's on and who's off the final 18-player 2009 U.S. World Cup team roster. The U.S. Elite and Developmental teams are here, and players will be fighting for the chance to help Team USA reclaim a gold medal that currently resides in Australia -- the result of a 14-7 beatdown of an out-athleted U.S. team in the 2005 World Cup championship game in Annapolis, Md.

We'll also get a look at three ACC powers, Team Japan, the University of Florida Gators and Rollins College. The U.S. teams just wrapped up their practice for the day. Duke and Virginia are practicing now on the lush fields at Disney. The first game draws at 5 p.m. and features the U.S. Developmental team squaring off against Japan. The primetime matchup at 7 p.m. pits the Devo team against the U.S. Elite squad.

What to Expect
Thursday, Jan. 29 | posted at 11:59 a.m.

Good morning, lacrosse fans. The temperature outside the US Lacrosse satellite office in Baltimore at 11 a.m. is an inviting 30 degrees. Sounds perfect for a getaway.

Ironic that, on Super Bowl weekend that traditionally features a winning player filming an "I'm going to Disneyland" commercial, I'll be heading to a Disney resort to cover the Champion Challenge, a US Lacrosse event, for Lacrosse Magazine. Despite my 6-14 record as a two-year varsity quarterback on my high school football team, it's safe to say no one will confuse me with a Super Bowl MVP.

I actually had trepidations about accepting this assignment last month. The Baltimore Ravens got hot, and then they started winning playoff games on the road. "What have I done?" I thought. My team's going to the Super Bowl in Tampa, and I'll be stuck at Orlando Walt Disney World covering a lacrosse event.

Wait...the Super Bowl doesn't kick off until 6:30 p.m., and we'll be done at Disney in the afternoon. Tampa is only an hour-plus drive. I can do this...

And then reality hit in the form of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Evil Empire proved too much for my Ravens, winning the AFC championship game and advancing to Super Bowl XLIII.

There's a lot of trash on TV these days, so it is with pleasure that I pack my bags for sunny Orlando and provide you coverage, through Sunday afternoon, of the Champion Challenge, which features the U.S. team and several collegiate women's powers. Be sure to visit th is blog frequently starting tomorrow. The official event Web page is www.uslacrosse.org/events/champschallenge09.phtml.

Here's a quick rundown of what we can look for at the event:

* Let's start with the obvious -- which U.S. teamers will play their way on to or off of the 2009 U.S. World Cup team? The coaching staff has been understandably tight-lipped about who has and hasn't been impressive in previous tryouts, and this event represents the final round of tryouts for the 18-player roster.

* Three ACC powers -- Duke, Maryland and Virginia -- will participate. It should be a good chance to catch a glimpse of the conference contenders, but probably nothing too revealing. These are scrimmages, and I doubt these squads will show too much with league rivals watching from the stands.

* The Florida Gators will participate as they begin their final non-varsity season. How will these Gators match up, and what can we expect from their first varsity squad next spring?

* Rollins College, a Division II school in Florida, also is on the schedule, as is Team Japan. It will be interesting to see how the Japanese have improved since the 2005 World Cup.

It's 78 in Orlando right now. Hope I don't forget my sunscreen.