Photo Credit: Di Miller
On July 10, 2014, it was opening day for the 2014 FIL World Lacrosse Championships at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. Lacrosse fans from across the world have been waiting for this day since the 2010 when Team USA came away World Champions. This year, there would be a record-breaking 38 teams participating in the games. Opening Ceremonies started with each nation taking their seats in the stands wearing their team colors, proudly displaying their countries’ names and flags. Three nations—Austria, Scotland and Uganda—would all don clothing showing their nation’s heritage. Austria would be in their traditional Lederhosen; Scotland in Kilts; and Uganda in Dashiki. Uganda is the first African country to participate in the FIL.
Once all the teams had entered the stadium, they were escorted to the north end of the stadium; some nations on the east side, and some on the west. The first two teams to enter the stadium were Team USA, followed by Team Canada. Team USA would enter first proudly carrying their country’s flag as the crowd came to their feet. Team Canada then entered the stadium also donning their flag. Both countries headed to the south end of the stadium where they walked down the middle of the field, and stood on the north sideline. Announcers introduced each country who alternated from the sides of the stadium, also proudly donning their countries flags, until each of the nations would be introduced, and seated. A traditional Native American prayer, followed by a dance blessing the ceremonies; woman in beautiful outfits; and men donning their Native American head-dresses were the main focal point of the ceremonies. Once the dance was complete, FIL President Stan Cockerton welcomed all the fans, and at the end of his speech said “Let the Games Begin.” Shortly thereafter, Team USA and Team Canada took the field for their pre-game warm ups. The energy amongst the players was evident; they prepped for the first game of the FIL World Lacrosse Championships.
In front of 11,447 ecstatic lacrosse fans, the teams took the field at 7:00 pm, where the starters stood at mid-field facing one another to listen to the referees explain the rules; the goalies would shake hands, and head to their respective nets. Both teams readied for what some would consider the most exciting game of their careers as a lacrosse player; and the chance to become “World Champions.” The rules were different than your typical MLL game, with a running clock, and no shot clock, something that these professional lacrosse players had not done since college. Final Score Team USA 10, Team Canada 7.
Team Canada would be the first to score only 3:54 minutes into the game, when Canada’s Mark Matthews (New York Lizards) would score with an assist to Wesley Berg. The first quarter would tick away both goalies making some amazing saves; and each offense a bit sluggish getting into the groove. There would not be another goal in the first, which led the fans to believe that this would be a low scoring game. Team Canada would lead by the score 1-0.
Canada would score the first two goals in the second quarter, when Curtis Dickson (Denver Outlaws) would score unassisted; followed by Jeremy Noble (Denver Outlaws), assist to Jordan MacIntosh (Rochester Rattlers). But Canada would be shut down by Team USA who less than a minute after Noble’s goal would score six unanswered goals. They would see Kevin Buchanan (Boston Cannons) with 2 G, 1 A; Paul Rabil (Boston Cannons) 1 G, 2 A; Garret Thul (Florida Launch); Brendan Mundorf (Chesapeake Bayhawks); and Max Seibald (New York Lizards) all scored. It was obvious that Team USA figured out what they needed to do, and came alive. Team USA lead at the half by the score of 6-3.
Team USA would dominate the third quarter as well, with goals from Kevin Leveille (Rochester Rattlers); and Rob Pannell (New York Lizards) 2 G, 1 A. Canada would only see one ball hit net in the third when Zack Greer (Denver Outlaws) would score with 5:17 remaining in the third. Team USA would still hold the lead 9-4.
Going into the fourth quarter, Team USA was dominating the game, and Team Canada was determined to figure out what they needed to do to score goals. They did just that. Team Canada came alive in the fourth quarter with three goals; one from Geoff Snider (Charlotte Hounds) who would win the faceoff, and hit net; and Greer would get his second of the game. Team USA’s Rabil wasn’t done yet when he sent the ball past Team Canada goalie Dillon Ward for his second goal of the game with 16:26 remaining. Team Canada was desperate for a comeback, but neither team would score until 2:39 remaining on the clock. This would be the final goal of the game when Team Canada’s Kevin Crowley (Florida Launch) would hit net. For the remaining minutes on the clock, Team USA would control the ball, and with no shot clock to force them to shoot on goal, it was obvious that Team Canada would not see the ball in their offense’s hands for the remainder of the game. Final Score Team USA 10-7 over Team Canada.
Game Stats:
Team USA—10 G, 6 A, 40 SH, 28 SOG, 25 GB, 10 T/O, 9 CT
Team Canada—7 G, 4 A, 20 SH, 14 SOG, 21 GB, 17 T/O, 3 CT
Goalie Stats:
Team USA—Jesse Schwartzman: 80 min, 7 GA, 7 S, 14 SH, .500 SPCT
Team Canada—Dillon Ward: 80 min, 10 GA, 18 S, 28 SH, .642 SPCT
Face-Off Stats:
Team USA—Chris Eck 8-16 FOW, .500 FOPCT
Team USA—Greg Gurenlian 4-5 FOW, .800 FOPCT
Team Canada—Geoff Snider 9-21 FOW, .427 FOPCT
Game MVP—Team USA’s Paul Rabil (Boston Cannons) 2 G, 2 A, 3 SH, 3 SOG, .667 SPCT%
Both teams have Friday off, and will return to the fields on Saturday July 12, when Team USA takes on Team Australia immediately followed by Team Canada taking on Team England. Both games will be played on Field 10.
