July 6, 2008
Box Score
Team USA captain Craig Dowd scored five goals in the fourth quarter, including the equalizer with 26 seconds remaining in regulation.
by Clare Lochary, Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff
COQUITLAM, B.C. - It began and ended with James Green.
Green capped a rally from a seven-goal deficit with an unassisted, outside shot at 1:06 in the first overtime period to lift the U.S. to a 16-15 overtime victory Sunday over rival and host Canada in the 2008 ILF Under-19 World Championships.
"I pulled a short stick and I took a sweep and I saw an opening, and took a shot," said Green.
While the U.S. is now 33-0 in U-19 international play, Sunday's overtime victory was both unprecedented and unlikely. Team USA had never played, much less won, an overtime game before, and trailed Canada, 14-7, after the third quarter.
But team captain Craig Dowd came alive in the fourth quarter, reeling off all five of his goals to key an 8-1 U.S. comeback that righted what looked to be an historic upset. The fifth goal, a putback on Canadian goalie Remington Steele (22 saves), tied the game 15-15 with just 26 seconds remaining.
Green's first goal, an unassisted, right-handed shot that looked much like the game-winner, came at the 18:36 mark of the first quarter. That 1-0 lead was the Americans' only lead until overtime. Canada built a 5-4 halftime lead, and then exploded in the third quarter, going on a 9-3 run that seemed to put the game out of reach.
In one sequence, Canada's Mark Cockerton (2g) beat long pole John Lade near the crease. U.S. goalie Adam Ghitelman misjudged the angle and came out to challenge the shooter. Cockerton released a low shot that caught Ghitelman out of position to make it 10-7. Just 27 seconds later, Jayson Card (3g) scored on a fast break.
The Canadians were living up to their reputation as dazzling shooters who just might be able to wrestle the world championship away from U.S. hands.
But just as Canada seemed unstoppable, it became clear the the U.S. - and Dowd - would not go down easily.
Dowd's first goal came on a power play 29 seconds into the fourth quarter, when he ripped a laser shot towards the cage. Steele saved it, but took a step back over the goal line, perhaps from the sheer force of the shot.
(Photo: John Strohsacker)
"We knew if we took our time, we'd get there," said Dowd.
The Canadians' 15 goals tied a record for the most ever allowed by the U.S. U-19 team (set on Thursday in a 20-15 win over the Iroquois), but they weren't enough. Team USA head coach Chuck Apel regularly rotates goalies Ghitelman and Tyler Fiorito, but Ghitelman got hot in the first half and remained in the game to finish with 24 saves, including five in overtime.
"That was the most unreal game I've ever been a part of," Ghitelman said. "Our defense played unbelievable. Twenty-three minutes and only one goal?"
Ghitelman's final save came against Kevin Crowley (2g), who shot hard and high with less than 30 seconds remaining in the second overtime period. The shot glanced off Ghitelman's hands and stick and sailed out of bounds. The umpires awarded possession to Canada's Mark Cockerton, who subsequently turned the ball over when he stepped out of bounds.
The U.S. ran out the clock with Rhamel Bratton to preserve the win, providing a quiet ending to a dramatic game.
"It's no magic formula," said Apel. "They just turned up and willed this to happen."
The victory clinched a spot in the semifinals (July 10) for the U.S. The Americans wrap up pool play on Monday with a game against England at 12:45 p.m. Pacific.
Coquitlam, British Columbia - Canada
Sunday Results - July 6, 2008
Blue Division
Australia 23, Japan 6
United States 16, Canada 15 (OT)
Iroquois 21, England 16
Red Division
Scotland 13, Bermuda 8
Germany 11, South Korea 4
Wales 12, Finland 4
Monday Schedule - July 7, 2008 - All times Pacific
Blue Division
12:45 p.m. - United States vs. England
4 p.m. - Iroquois vs. Australia
7:15 p.m. - Canada vs. Japan
Red Division
9:30 a.m. - Germany vs. Finland
10:45 a.m. - South Korea vs. Bermuda
2 p.m. - Wales vs. Scotland
