Photo Credit: Di Miller
Five days into the 2014 World Lacrosse Championships and the games just keep getting better. Team USA, undefeated going into their game tonight against Team England who are having an impossible time getting their first win went head–to-head at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. Today the weather was more cooperative and the severe storms held off so there were no rain-delays. However, about half-way into the game, the winds kicked up and blew down the safety nets on the north side of the field causing a slight delay in the game. But this wouldn’t help Team England in their quest for that first win. Team USA was without Brendan Mundorf (Chesapeake Bayhawks); Kyle Harrison (Ohio Machine); and Jesse Schwartzman (Denver Outlaws), but they would still dominate yet another team in the Blue Division and easily gave Team England their fourth loss. Team USA over Team England 20-1.
In the first quarter, Team USA would score their first goal at 4:20 when Rob Pannell (New York Lizards) would score with the assist going to Max Siebald (New York Lizards). Team USA would also get goals from Kevin Leveille (Rochester Rattlers) 2 G; Marcus Holman (Ohio Machine); Garrett Thul (Florida Launch); Kyle Hartzell (New York Lizards); and Kevin Buchanan (Boston Cannons). Team England was shut out in the first quarter. Score at the end of the quarter Team USA 7-Team England 0.
Going into the second quarter, Team USA would control the ball again. Their offense was unstoppable; their defense was tight; and goal-tending was top notch. They would put up another four goals on the board. Paul Rabil (Boston Cannons); Leveille (hat-trick goal); Pannell and Holman would each get their second goals of the game. Again, Team England was no match for Team USA. The score at the half, Team USA up 11-0.
Starting off the second half, it only took Team USA 1:12 to put another point on the board. Rabil would score again; followed by Ned Crotty (New York Lizards); and Thul. Team England would get their first and only goal of the game. Michael Armstrong would win the one and only face-off by Team England, and Adrian Bennett would take the ball down the field and score 12:10 into the third quarter. But their excitement would be silenced when Team USA’s Buchanan, and Siebald closed out the quarter hitting net. At the end of the third quarter, Team USA would lead 16-1.
With the fourth quarter starting, it wasn’t looking good for Team England to score again. Team USA would get goals from Holman (hat-trick); David Lawson (Rochester Rattlers) 2 G; and Mitch Belisle (Boston Cannons). Final Team USA 20-Team England 1.
Team USA dominated in every facet of the game—offense; defense; face-offs; ground balls; and goal-tending. They had two players with hat-tricks—Kevin Leveille and Marcus Holman. They would have eleven different player score goals.
Team England, although they came into the game with high hopes definitely could not conquer the mighty Team USA.
Team Stats
Team USA—20 G, 13 A, 65 Shots; 45 GB, 7 TO, 11 CT, 23-24 FOW, .958 FOPCT; 3 saves, .667 Save%
Team England—1 G, 1 A, 2 Shots; 16 GB, 16 TO, 2 CT, 1-24 FOW, .041 FOPCT; 18 saves, .277 Save%
Chris Eck (Boston Cannons) went 11-12 on face-offs for a .916 FOPCT; and Greg Gurenlian (New York Lizards) was 12-12 in face-offs for a 1.000 FOPCT.
MVP of the game can’t be given to one player because Team USA played spectacular. Therefore, I’m giving MVP for this game to Team USA!
On Tuesday July 15, Team England (0-4) will go up against Team Japan (0-4) at 2:00 p.m. One of these teams will finally come away with a victory. Team USA (4-0) faces Team Iroquois (2-1) at 5:00 p.m. Both games will be played on Field 10. It should be noted that at the time this article was written, Team Iroquois was in a lightning delay in their game against Team Australia, tied 8-8 in the third quarter.
