Thirtysomething
July 3, 2008
by Clare Lochary, Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff
Coquitlam, B.C. -- Thirty is a significant milestone for most people. It's a significant milestone for the U.S. boys' U-19 lacrosse team, too.
The U.S. defeated the Iroquois, 20-15, in their first game of the 2008 International World Lacrosse Federation U-19 World Championship. It was the team's 30th straight win in U-19 competition, preserving the Americans' perfect record. The Iroquois gave the Americans an early scare, twice taking a one-goal lead in the first quarter, but eventually the U.S. squad pulled away for a commanding win.
"The international rules are still an adjustment, but we'll really make it work by the end of the tournament," said attacker Andrew Feinberg, who led all scorers with five goals.
The closest the U.S. ever came to losing a U-19 game was in 1999, a 9-8 nailbiter against the Iroquois. The 2008 rematch occasionally looked like it had the makings of another upset.
The high-scoring game had a slow start - attacker Craig Dowd (4g) opened scoring by beating Iroquois goalie Jeffrey White (16 saves) on a power play goal 4:53 into the quarter. The two teams traded goals throughout the first quarter, with the U.S. gaining a 5-4 lead at the end of the period on Rhamel Bratton's bounce shot.
In the second quarter, the Iroquois capitalized on two man-up plays to try and close the gap, and Miles Thompson (3g) gained possession off a broken clear to tie the game at 8-8. But the U.S. continued its steady offensive output, thanks to two goals from Matt Mackrides, and settled into the rhythm of the international game.
"We try to put our two cents in on how to play in tight games," said Josh Amidon, of the championship-winning insights he and his collegiate and international teammate Joel White gleaned from playing for NCAA champion Syracuse.
"In close games, like we had against Virginia and Hopkins, you've got to know what you're doing in tight situations. You've got to come out positive."
The U.S. could feel positive about Matt Dolente's dominance at the X, where the face-off specialist won 23 of his 37 attempts. Dowd's back-to-back goals in the third quarter put the U.S. up 13-10, despite White's seven third-quarter saves.
"It's really kind of exciting and scary," said Jeffrey White, who played with a thumb injury.
"I'm only 16 and they're all a foot taller and 20 pounds heaver than me."
In the fourth quarter, the U.S. attack reeled off seven goals to increase its lead to 20-13. Not to be deterred, Thompson and Randy Staats (2g) each added a goal in the final minute. But it wasn't quite enough to keep the U.S. from turning the big 3-0.
Thursday's Results - July 3
Blue Division
United States 20, Iroquois Nationals 15
England 24, Japan 5
Canada 25, Australia 7
Red Division
Germany 7, Wales 5
Bermuda 11, Finland 5
Scotland 8, South Korea 1
Friday's Schedule - July 4 (All times Pacific time)
Blue Division
12:45 p.m. - Iroquois Nationals vs. Japan
4 p.m. - United States vs. Australia
8 p.m. - England vs. Canada
Red Division
9:30 a.m. - Wales vs. Bermuda
2 p.m. - Germany vs. South Korea
5:15 p.m. - Scotland vs. Finland
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