Each year, we at US Lacrosse Magazine pore over the top coaches, players, games, performances, breakthroughs and moments for the annual “Best of Lacrosse” edition. Naturally, this retrospective tome drops in December.
But now is the time to be heard.
Over the next two weeks, we’re polling fans on Twitter (@USLacrosseMag) to vote on four finalists in 10 categories: Best Men’s Coach, Best Women’s Coach, Best Men’s Player, Best Women’s Player, Best Game, Best Men’s Performance, Best Women’s Performance, Best Men’s Breakthrough, Best Women’s Breakthrough and Best Moment.
Today, we present our four finalists for Best Game of 2017: Albany-North Carolina (NCAA Division I Men's Tournament First Round), Navy-North Carolina (NCAA Division I Women's Tournament Quarterfinal), England-Australia (FIL Women's World Cup Bronze Medal Game) and Georgia Swarm-Saskatchewan Rush Champion's Cup Game 2).
Narrowing down the field meant leaving out some games that made headlines.
The Maryland-Denver NCAA semifinal was thrilling for many reasons, notably for the finish that included two dives in the final minutes. The Terps survived the matchup with Denver and Trevor Baptiste, advancing to the NCAA final, where they won their first national title in 40 years.
The Maryland women’s lacrosse team was also involved in a classic in the NCAA tournament. Somehow, the Terps were matched up with Stony Brook, leading to a shootout in which the eventual national champions overcame two four-goal deficits to advance to the final four.
Cases could be made for any and all of these standouts. More on this year’s finalists for Best Game.
Albany vs. North Carolina
NCAA Men's First Round
In a game that featured two halves that contrasted more than any in recent memory, Albany took a 14-3 lead into halftime at a rainy Casey Stadium. The defending national champion Tar Heels were on the ropes, but responded with a 9-0 run out of the break to roar back within two goals. Chris Cloutier had four goals during the run that put North Carolina within reach of a historic comeback. But it wasn’t enough, as Albany scored with 5:49 remaining and held on for the 15-12 victory.
Navy vs. North Carolina
NCAA Women's Quarterfinals
Though already one of the Cinderella teams in the NCAA women’s tournament, Navy entered its quarterfinal matchup with defending national champion North Carolina as the underdog. Beating the second-seeded Tar Heels was improbable. Navy took an 8-7 lead into halftime, but North Carolina responded with a 6-2 run to take a commanding 13-10 lead with 17 minutes left. The Midshipmen responded with six of the final seven goals, including the game-clincher by Molly O’Sullivan, to put away the Tar Heels for the biggest upset of the 2017 tournament.
England vs. Australia
FIL Women’s World Cup Bronze Medal Game
England met Australia in the FIL third-place game and it was an instant classic. Australia led 6-3 at halftime and looked to medal once again, pushing the lead to 9-5 with 20 minutes remaining. But England wasn’t done, scoring four straight goals, including three by Olivia Hompe, to force overtime. One overtime period wasn’t enough, as the teams headed into a second period locked at 9-9 in pouring rain. Megan Whittle’s goal with just one second left in the second overtime period sealed the victory and left Australia off the podium for the first time.
Georgia Swarm vs. Saskatchewan Rush
Champion's Cup Game 2
The Georgia Swarm was on the verge of its first NLL title, leading 1-0 heading to the defending champion Saskatchewan Rush. What commenced was a shootout that ended in one of the wildest sequences in NLL history. Down 14-13 with seconds to go, the Swarm pulled goalie Mike Poulin for an extra attacker, but turned the ball over. The Rush had nine seconds and the ball, but turned it over as well, allowing a shot to ricochet to Joel White, who tied the game with two seconds left. Miles Thompson won the Champion’s Cup with a goal in the first overtime period.