NLL Insider

The United States and Canada are set to meet in the International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) U-19 World Field Lacrosse Championship final on Saturday, July 12 at 2:30pm PST.

“We’re right where we wanted to be. In the championship game, with an opportunity to play the best in the world,” said Canada head coach Gary Gait. “We have confidence in ourselves, and now it’s just a matter of showing up and getting it done.”

It’s a much anticipated match-up. During round-robin play last Sunday, Canada held a 14-7 lead on the USA heading into the fourth quarter, before the United States stormed back with an 8-1 fourth quarter run to force overtime and come away with a 16-15 victory.

“It was an overtime game last time and it’s going to be a battle right to the end this time,” said United States head coach Chuck Apel. “I expect nothing but a great game, both ways.”

“It’s a great opportunity,” added Gait. “The kids are excited, the staff’s excited. We’ll show up prepared, ready – and take on the best.”

The United States are 35-0 all-time in ILF U-19 World Field Lacrosse Championship play. They have won all five U-19 titles dating back to 1988.

“We’ve been studying Canada for quite some while now since we’ve been up here,” says Ramel Bratton, one of America’s star midfielders. “We’re probably going to just touch up on a few things and then go into the game on Saturday with our heads on straight.”

“We have some confidence but a healthy respect for the Canadians and the way they play,” added Bratton.

The US went a perfect 5-0 in round-robin play, and cruised to a 25-5 semi-final win over England on Thursday.

“The guys are great,” said US head coach Chuck Apel of his players. “I think they’ve formed some great friendships that they’ll have forever. They’re really close, and if they share the ball and play the way they can play, they’re going to have a great game on Saturday.”

“They know,” added Apel on what he was going to say post-game to his players. “This is why they came here. They’re pretty focused. We’re going to go over what we have to do and be prepared for Saturday.”

“It should be a great game,” added Gait.

“It’s what you always dream about - coming into the finals, playing against the States,” said Canada’s star long-pole Brock Sorensen.

“It adds a little more fuel to the fire,” added Sorenson of the United States’ all-time win streak. “It’s going to be tough though. They’ve never lost and they know that. And I think they know we’re a pretty good team, so it should be a good game.”

Canada defeated the Iroquois, 23-12, in their semi-final match on Thursday, after going 4-1 during round-robin play. The Canadian’s sole loss of the tourney was to the Americans in overtime.

The Iroquois Nationals will play England for the bronze medal at 11:00am PST on July 12. The tournament will conclude with an awards ceremony after the gold medal game.

Canada has finished second in each of the last two U-19 World Field Lacrosse Championships to the United States.

This is the first time the U-19 Worlds has been held in Canada, and the first time an ILF World Championship event has been held on the westcoast of Canada.

At the 2006 Men’s World Field Lacrosse Championships, the Canadians defeated the US to capture gold for their first time since 1978.

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