Photo Credit: Di Miller
It was Day 10, the final day of the FIL 2014 World Lacrosse Championships in Commerce City, Colorado and the game of all games, Team USA vs. Team Canada had come at last. The stadium was full of 11,861 anxious fans and players from all the nations in attendance at the games. The weather was perfect for a night of the best lacrosse the world would see. Team USA was coming into the game undefeated 6-0, while Team Canada was sitting at 5-1. When the two teams met on opening night, Team USA would come away with the victory by the score of 10-7, and go undefeated through six games. Team Canada after losing on opening night would go on a five game winning streak. It was anyone’s guess who would come away with the victory. It all boiled down to who would have the strongest offense; and who would have the best goal-tending. Unfortunately for Team USA, Team Canada would rate highest in both categories and come away as the 2014 World Lacrosse Champions. Final score Team Canada over Team USA 8-5.
Team Canada would be the first to score, although it took almost 14 minutes before that goal came. Kevin Crowley (Florida Launch) would score; with his second goal of the quarter coming with 11 seconds left in the quarter. Team USA would not hit net in the first quarter. Shots on goal in the first quarter were almost equal, with Team Canada getting 10 SOG to Team USA’s 9 SOG. Ground balls would also be very close: Team Canada 7 GB; Team USA 5 GB. Saves by Team Canada’s goalie Dillon Ward (Florida Launch) 3; Team USA’s Jesse Schwartzman (Denver Outlaws) 1. At the end of the first quarter, the score was 2-0 in favor of Team Canada.
Heading into the second quarter with only 3:41 off the clock, Team USA’s Kevin Leveille (Rochester Rattlers) would score with the assist going to Rob Pannell (New York Lizards). With 5:27 left on the clock, Crowley would score again (hat-trick) for Team Canada. Shots on Goal: Team Canada 7—Team USA 2. Ground Balls: Team Canada 11—Team USA 3. Ward would have zero saves in the second; Schwartzman would get 1. Again, Team Canada dominated another quarter. Score 1-3 in favor of Team Canada.
At the start of the third, it was obvious that Team USA needed to figure out what was going wrong. Team Canada would see Crowley score again, followed by Team USA’s Leveille. For the first 45:19 of the game, it was the Kevin Crowley—Kevin Leveille show. Team Canada would put another point on the board when Curtis Dickson (Denver Outlaws) would hit net; followed by yet another goal from Crowley. Team Canada would get the final goal of the quarter, when Cam Holding (Denver Outlaws) would score with 3 seconds on the clock. Again, Team Canada would have more shots on goal 8; and Team USA would have 7. Ground Balls would be in favor of Team USA with 6, to Team Canada’s 4. But the big key would be outstanding net-minding by Team Canada, Ward would have four saves as opposed to Team USA’s Schwartzman having only one. Score at the end of the third still in favor of Team Canada 7-2.
It was obvious that Team USA needed to tighten up their defense; and the offense needed to kick it into gear if they wanted to win this game. But, Team Canada would not be shut down when Mark Matthews (New York Lizards) would score. The final three goals of the game would come from Team USA. Rob Pannell (New York Lizards); Jesse Bernhardt (Chesapeake Bayhawks); and Leveille would score (hat-trick for Leveille). For the last 6:23 of the game, fans would not see another goal hit net. Team USA fared better in the fourth quarter with 12 SOG; Team Canada only had 4 SOG. Team Canada would however dominate on ground balls with 13 versus Team USA only getting 8 GB. On saves, Team Canada would have 4 to Team USA’s 1. Final at the end of the game 8-5 Team Canada with the victory and new World Champions.
Team USA didn’t have the spunk coming onto the field that they had in the previous six games. Team Canada wanted that win; played tight close defense; were aggressive on offense; and the goal-tending by Ward was simply amazing. It was obvious from the start of the game that Team Canada had the spark they needed to win.
MVP of the game goes to two players. Team Canada’s goal-tender Dillon Ward 5 GA and 10 saves; and Kevin Crowley with 5 goals on the night, and one assist.
Congratulations go out to Team Canada for their victory, and to becoming the FIL 2014 World Lacrosse Champions.
