SPARKS, Md. — John Danowski admitted the feeling was strange — stepping onto Tierney Field at US Lacrosse headquarters on Saturday afternoon. Less than three months removed from the gold medal match, where the U.S. won shocked Canada on a last-second goal from Tom Schreiber, he was back with the national team for a competitive game.
On the roster for the men’s national team’s battle with NCAA Division I champions, Yale, were seven members of the gold medal squad, and plenty of others looking to make their names known for future competitions leading up to the next world championship in 2022.
“We said ‘Listen, boys. The last sequence was two-and-a-half years,’” Danowski said. “‘We’re now four years away. But this is a time to make an impression. You’re wearing a USA jersey.’”
Many of the members of Danowski’s team hadn’t played a competitive game since the MLL season ended in August. They arrived Friday night, went through one practice, and were on the field at noon to face Andy Shay’s Bulldogs for the first game of the Team USA Fall Classic.
It was a quick turn around, but one that the U.S. men’s national team was able to handle. After going into halftime up by a goal, the men’s national team halted the Yale offense and pulled away for the 12-7 win over the Bulldogs.
There may have been a new cast of names — some that return from the U.S. training team — but the resolve was the same as it was in July in Netanya, Israel.
“I thought during the game, the guys took on a lot of the qualities of the team in the summer,” Danowski said. “They were unselfish, defensively they were tough. Our short-stick D-middies — Will Haus, Matt Abbott, Jake Richard — they were tough to beat and good off the ground. Defensively our guys were long.”
The first half started slowly for Team USA, which withstood a barrage of shots from Yale. Brian Phipps (Chesapeake Bayhawks) made more than a few strong saves to keep the hosts in the 4-3 lead entering the break.
Phipps, who narrowly missed out on a spot with the U.S. national team ahead of the FIL World Championship, finished with seven saves in his one half. He was replaced by Jack Concannon for the second half.
For the 31-year-old, any chance to play for Team USA again is a pleasure. He’s signed on to play for the Bayhawks until 2020, and hopes to continue his career as long as he can.
“Being 31 years old right now is tough,” he said. “Competing for a gold medal is obviously the peak of our sport and that’s what the dream is right now for me. Hopefully, the candle doesn’t burn out any time soon."
Phipps’ efforts did not go unnoticed from Danowski.
“Brian Phipps has played really well for us,” he said. “Who knows what goes on in the teams for the summer, but for us he’s been outstanding. He was really the third guy this year. Jack Kelly certainly earned the spot, as well as John Galloway. But everybody loves him.”
Phipps and Concannon helped negate a Yale offense that was clicking for much of the day, allowing the U.S. offense to take control in the second half. Matt Kavanagh chipped in two goals to lead the U.S. in its eight-goal second-half.
Strong faceoff play — the U.S. won 16 of 22 faceoffs against Yale and star TD Ierlan on the day — helped it gain momentum. Not to mention, both Trevor Baptiste and Brendan Fowler scored off the X, as did longstick Michael Ehrhardt immediately after getting the groundball off a faceoff win.
“Our faceoff guys gave us momentum and gave us opportunities with the ball,” Danowski said. “They made plays and scored goals. … I was really impressed with the guys’ approach and how they executed.”
No Rest For Holman
Marcus Holman, one of the seven players who won gold that played Saturday, scored the game’s opening goal. He, like Connor Buczek, Trevor Baptiste, Connor Kelly and JoJo Marasco, was returning to the U.S. national team after playing at LASNAI on the Onondaga Nation last weekend.
Holman, a member of the 2014 and 2018 field teams and the 2015 indoor team, said he’s always ready for suit up for the national team. Although his move to Utah, where he will coach as a Utes assistant when it starts its first Division I season in 2019, certainly makes for longer flights.
“I’m getting to the second half of my career now where you live for competition like this,” he said. “It’s fun to come together with a group of guys and in 24 hours you have to become a tight team, especially competing against the best team in college lacrosse.
“Ever since I've made the team in 2014, I don’t think I’ve missed a USA event, which I don’t know what that really says. I’m glad they keep asking me back. It means a lot and I try not to take these opportunities for granted.”