Team Canada improves to 4-0, Iroquois Nationals make history, Team USA going the long route

July 17th, 2012 by Teddy Jenner

During the final day of round robin play at the 2012 U19 World Field Lacrosse Championships today, even more history was made as the the Iroquois Nationals defeated Team USA for the first time ever in any level of field competition. On Saturday, Team Canada became the first team to beat the Americans during U19 play and today, the Iroquois handed them their second ever defeat 15-13. It was the first time a team other than Canada had beaten the Americans in International Field Lacrosse.

The US boys jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the opening quarter but the Nationals battled through the slow start and eventually in the third quarter took the lead. They teams would continue to play, fact paced lacrosse for the rest of the game and then with just over five minutes to play, Hank Delisle scored what turned out to be the game winning goal. With the win, the Iroquois finish the round robin play in 2nd place and will have a day off tomorrow along with Team Canada who finished a perfect 4-0 after defeating the Australians today 25-3. In their match-up against the Aussies, Canada jumped out to a 13-0 lead and never looked back. Reilly O’Connor and Dan Lintner lead the tournament in scoring while Brennan Donville has given up just 19 goals in four games playing all but 40 minutes so far. Canada will take on the winner of the England Czech Republic game. Both semi-finals will be played on Thursday with the quarter-finals games set to take place tomorrow.

For the Americans, it’s a path not many saw them having to take. Many predicted them to win this tournament again, like they have every other year but the international game of lacrosse is getting tighter and tighter each year and now, the Americans will have to go the long route to the finals. They’ll have to play the winner of the Germany v Wales game (which Germany leads at present time) then with a win would move on for a rematch versus Iroquois. Matthew Kavanagh has been a beast all tournament for the American leading them in scoring with 12 goals 4 assists and is tied with Lintner for 2nd in the tournament.

Tomorrow it all changes though. It’s win and move on time and for some teams, a chance to improve on their international standing but for the Americans, it’s a chance to regain some momentum heading towards the medal round. The Canadians and Iroquois will not slow down and we could be in for even more history come Saturday July 21st.

For more info, stats, schedules and ppv options to watch the games- head over to www.2012worldlacrosse.com and follow the tournament on twitter – @2012WorldLax

Teddy Jenner is one the leading sources for lacrosse information. He comes by his love of lax honestly with a lifetime of experience, two Mann Cup championships and six years of play in the NLL. Email him at ted.jenner@ilindoor.com, follow him on Twitter @OffTheCrosseBar or catch him on Team 1410 radio in Vancouver, B.C., as the host and producer of the Off the Crosse-Bar Radio Show In 2012, he was awarded the BCLA's Norm Wright Merit Award- handed out to a member of the media deemed to have have contributed to the promotion of lacrosse.

Rate This Story: