Photo Credit: Di Miller
The most anticipated game of the 2014 World Lacrosse Championship Games took place on Tuesday July 15, when Team USA (4-0) would go head-to-head against Team Iroquois (3-1) at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. It was another stormy day in Commerce City, Colorado and the afternoon games were stopped again due to severe weather. The game was delayed by one hour and 45 minutes, but fans from both teams would not be turned away and the stands were at capacity. Team USA would control the game from the start. They led in every category—goals; assists; face-offs; and shots on goal. Final score Team USA over Team Iroquois 18-5.
Team USA wasted no time in scoring. With only 1:15 off the clock, Rob Pannell (New York Lizards) would put his first of three goals on the board, all unassisted, and back-to-back-to-back. He would get his hat-trick in the first six minutes and 45 seconds of the game. Paul Rabil (Boston Cannons) would be the second to score for Team USA. Team Iroquois only had three shots on goal, and was no match for the dominant Team USA, who had 18 shots on goal in the first quarter. Team USA would lead 4-0 at the end of the quarter.
Heading into the second quarter, Team USA would see Pannell score; followed by Brendan Mundorf (Chesapeake Bayhawks); Marcus Holman (Ohio Machine); Kevin Buchanan (Boston Cannons); Rabil; and Pannell. Again Team Iroquois would be shut out with only four shots on goal, their frustration was building, and the quarter would be riddled with penalties. Team USA would have 14 shots on goal in the quarter. Score at the end of the first half 10-0, Team USA with a decisive lead.
At the start of the third quarter, Team USA would again be the first to score when Kevin Leveille (Rochester Rattlers) would hit net. Team Iroquois would get their first goal of the game 2:59 into the quarter when Jeremy Thompson (Florida Launch) would score with an assist going to his brother Lyle Thompson. It would take almost four minutes before the next goal would be scored. Rabil of Team USA would score giving him a hat-trick on the night. Team Iroquois would get two more goals in the quarter when Miles Thompson (Rochester Rattlers) would score back-to-back goals. Less than four minutes later Pannell of Team USA would score another unassisted goal. Team USA had extended their lead 13-3.
Team Iroquois would be the first to score in the fourth. Only 35 seconds into the quarter, Zach Miller would score with the assist going to Jeff Shattler (Calgary Roughnecks). But Team USA quickly answered back when David Lawson (Rochester Rattlers); Mundorf; and Ned Crotty (New York Lizards) would score. The final goal of the game would come from Team Iroquois when Miles Thompson would get a hat-trick with 2:38 left on the clock. Final score Team USA over Team Iroquois 18-5.
Team Stats
Team USA—18 G, 9 A, 50 Shots, 34 GB, 10 TO, 8 CT, 17-24 FOW
Team Iroquois—5 G, 4 A, 14 Shots, 21 GB, 15 TO, 4 CT, 7-24 FOW
Shots by Quarter
Team USA—1st (18); 2nd (14); 3rd (8); 4th (10) Total 50
Team Iroquois—1st (3); 2nd (4); 3rd (5); 4th (2) Total 14
MVP of the game goes to Team USA’s Rob Pannell with 7 G, 1 A. His back-to-back-to-back goals in the first six minutes of the game, not to mention the fact that six of the seven were unassisted was simply amazing.
Team USA (5-0) is the number one seed going into the semi-finals which start Thursday July 17. They will face the winner of Game #105 at 4:30 p.m., and their opponent will be determined on Wednesday July 16. Team Iroquois (3-2) is the number two seed and will face the winner of Game #104 at 7:30 p.m. Both games will be played in the main stadium.
