The 2014 World Lacrosse Championships are winding down, and the brackets are set for many of the teams. Team Poland (Grey Division) 3-3, will take on Team Latvia (White Division) 4-3 on Friday July 18 at 11:30 a.m. on Field 8 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. The winner comes away in 19th place at the 2014 games.
Team Poland (3-3), has a better conference record at 2-1. The countries in the Grey Division are Team Costa Rica, Team Turkey, and Team Czech Republic. Team Poland may very well have ended with a perfect conference record had it not been for a controversial call during the last seconds of the game against the Czech Republic, which stripped them of the tying goal, and the ensuing over-time periods. Poland is 1-2 in non-conference games where they faced Team Hong Kong, Team Sweden, and Team Italy. The only non-conference victory Poland had was against Team Hong Kong; however they lost a close one in double over-time against Team Italy.
Team Latvia (4-3) lost two of three in their division which included Team Switzerland, Team Thailand, and Team Scotland. They have done better in non-conference games ending with a record of 3-1, with victories over Team Spain, Team Hong Kong, and Team Norway. Their only loss in non-conference games were against Team Wales where they lost in double over-time.
Leading scorers for Team Poland include: Jan Rydzak, Midfielder; Wojciech Filipek, Attack; and Colin Jesian, Attack. They have two face-off guys with Michael Poch, and Michal Bucki. In net Christian Dzwilewski has seen the majority of playing time. Through six games, Team Poland has 73 GF, and 37 GA.
Leading scorers for Team Latvia include: Christopher Zarins, Attack; Gatis Zeps, Midfielder; Eli Lasda Midfielder; and Arturs Krastin, Attack. Their two face-off guys are Riley Lasda, and Edgars Purmalis. Two net-minders have stepped on the field for the team, Gints Gutmanis, and Kristap Lacis. Through seven games, Team Latvia has 93 GF, and 74 GA.
Both teams are evenly matched, and have lost close games in double over-time. The outcome of this game is going to rely solely on the strength of the defense; and quality goal-tending. The team that wins the majority of face-offs will most likely be the one to score the most, and ultimately come away with the victory.
