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ILF U-19 World Games: 10 things we learned

Another United States victory is in the books at the ILF U-19 World Games, as the American team improved to 36-0 all time at the event and won its sixth straight championship over Canada. But that isn’t all we learned:

1. USA has heart

Everyone knows how athletic and skilled the Americans are in field lacrosse, but what showed during the ILF U-19 Worlds was their heart, pride and passion. There was no way the US should have been able to climb back from a seven goal fourth-quarter deficit against the Canadians, but led by Craig Dowd they did – to help maintain their undefeated U-19 win streak that now stands at 36-0. Impressive.

2. Canada is closing the gap

Canada showed at times that they can compete with the Americans, up 14-7 in the fourth quarter of that round-robin game and tied 7-7 in the second quarter of the final. After the final, both sides admitted that Canada is starting to come into their own at the U-19 level. Of course, Canada did also capture the last men’s worlds in ‘06 and will continue to put a premium on Canadian boxla players with US field experience. See point six.
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Canada’s Adam Jones earns MVP honours

Five goals in the final game versus the United States may not have been quite enough to earn Adam Jones a gold medal, but it did snag the Owen Sound native Tournament MVP and Top Midfielder honours. Though Jones missed his chance at one championship, he steps right back into the running for another. His first-place Orangeville Northmen take on the Brampton Excelsiors tonight at the Tony Rose 8:00 PM EST in game one of their best-of-seven.

Other U-19 award winners are Top Defenseman Peter Fallon (USA) Top Attacker Craig Dowd (USA) and Top Goaltender Adam Ghitelman from…wait for it…Team USA.

ILF U-19 World Games: USA wins gold, legacy continues

The United States captured their sixth-straight World U-19 Field Lacrosse Championship gold medal with a convincing 19-12 victory over Canada on Saturday.

“It’s one of the best feelings I’ve had,” said United States’ Craig Dowd of the victory. “We were mentally ready for this game. We knew there was a lot of pressure on us. A lot of guys stepped up and were leaders today.”

The United States remains unbeaten all-time in U-19 play with a perfect and impressive 36-0 record. READ MORE »

ILF U-19 World Games: Iroquois Nationals takes Bronze

The Iroquois Nationals captured the bronze medal on Saturday with a 19-10 victory over England. It was the Iroquois second bronze medal at the International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) U-19 Worlds.

“We’re proud to win that game, but we wanted to be in the gold medal game like everyone else,” said Iroquois head coach Tony Gray.

“I thought today’s game we could have sulked about not winning the Canada (semi-final) game, but we re-focused and we came out and we played a really strong game today,” added Gray. “All twenty-two players played together as a team today.” READ MORE »

ILF U-19 World Games: USA, Canada to face off for title

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.” READ MORE »

ILF U-19 World Games: Growing the Sport

Japan moved up from the Red Division to the elite Blue Division for their first-time at the 2008 International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) U-19 World Field Lacrosse Championships.

“We’ve had some hard games in the Blue Division,” said Jun Motoshita, Japan’s top midfielder. “We had a game today with Germany of the Red Division and I think we had a nice game. And throughout the tournament, I think Team Japan really had a lot of fun.”

Motoshita was Japan’s leading scorer with eight goals and nine points in their six games played. His team went 0-5 in the Blue Division and lost an overtime game with Germany on Wednesday. Germany, which was exempted a few U-21 players to field a competitive team, was the top seed out of the Red Division. READ MORE »

ILF 2008 U-19 World Games: Semis Set

The semis are now set for the International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) U-19 World Field Lacrosse Championships; on Thursday the USA will face England at 4:00pm PST and Canada draws the Iroquois Nationals at 7:15pm PST.

England and the Iroquois respectively advanced into the semis by winning cross-over games against Germany and Scotland of the Red Division. The USA and Canada had byes to the semi-finals for finishing one, two in round-robin play.

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Lacrosse, more than a game for the Iroquois

The Iroquois Nationals will play Canada on Thursday night for the right to advance to the International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) U-19 World Field Lacrosse Championship final. As Iroquois’ seniors passionately share, however, lacrosse is more than just a game for the Iroquois.

“It’s the creator’s game,” said Iroquois’ head coach Tony Gray – also a member of the men’s national team and son to a traditional medicine keeper of the Mohawk Nation.

“Everybody wants to win, but it’s more about playing for the creator. It’s already predetermined who’s going to win so the boys just want to put on a good show,” added Gray in conversation last week.

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ILF 2008 U-19 World Games: US defeats Canada, improbable OT come-back

Canada was about to become the first team to ever defeat the United States in U-19 World Field Lacrosse Championship play, up 14-7 headed into the fourth quarter. But the United States stormed back with a 8-1 fourth quarter to force overtime and come away with a 16-15 victory.

“It was one of the best games I’ve ever been a part of, it’s a good feeling,” said Craig Dowd, who led the US with five goals in the fourth quarter. “We just kept on coming together as a team and we never gave up.”

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ILF 2008 U-19 World Games: US, Canada square off in key pool game

The United States and Canada will battle today at 4pm PST (7 PM ET) for first-place in the elite Blue Division.

The two programs have continually established themselves as the top tiered clubs, but Canada – and everyone else for that matter – have yet to defeat the Americans in U19 World play.

The United States are 31-0 all-time at the U19 World Lacrosse Championships. They enter Sunday’s game after a 27-0 crushing of Japan. READ MORE »