Good morning. Here’s the latest from around the lacrosse world:
1. The United States of America has returned to the top of the men’s lacrosse world.
In a dramatic finale to the Federation of International Lacrosse World Championship, Tom Schreiber converted a Rob Pannell feed with 0.2 seconds left to lift the U.S. to a 9-8 win over Canada Saturday, wresting the gold medal from our northern neighbors (box score).
Unbelievable! W/ .02 sec left @USAMLax Schreiber scores! USA wins in what will go down as best game in Worlds History pic.twitter.com/j4kN14qY2U
— FILacrosse (@FILacrosse) July 21, 2018
Many in the States arose early (or simply stayed up) for the 10 a.m. faceoff in Israel (3 a.m. Eastern time), but even those that did not likely have seen by now the tense final moments. The feature on Schreiber’s “schoolyard” finish includes details on what did and did not happen as time wound down.
The championship represents the 10th for the U.S. Canada will host the 2022 FIL World Championship in Coquitlam, British Columbia.
The team is back home on American soil.
JFK@USAMLax back on home soil with some precious cargo in tow.
— Matt DaSilva (@mdasilva15) July 23, 2018
They brought it home. pic.twitter.com/QPODXPvFvy
2. Team USA longstick midfielder Michael Ehrhardt earned the event’s Most Valuable Player award, among several Americans to earn tournament honors.
Ehrhardt proved stellar defensively, helping the U.S. allow just 5.3 goals per game, and in the possession game. Darting in from the wing on faceoffs, Ehrhardt corralled 26 ground balls, good for second on the team. Those efforts helped the Americans win a tournament-best 69 percent of draws.
Ehrhardt, a former All-American at Maryland and current Charlotte Hound, scored praise from teammates and MVP candidates Ryan Brown and Tom Schreiber, each of which put up gaudy offensive numbers. Ehrhardt became the first defenseman to earn the MVP award since National Hall of Famer Dave Pietramala did so in 1990.
3. Major League Lacrosse resumed its season last week after taking the prior week off, and the sound of rattle snakes at the top continues to get louder as the playoffs approach.
Ben Reeves scored with 10 seconds left to lift Dallas to a 13-12 win at Denver, locking up a home playoff game for the Rattlers (10-2). Dallas won its seventh straight game, this time in dramatic fashion as the Outlaws led, 11-7, early in the fourth quarter.
Ben Reeves scores the game-winning goal with :10 seconds left #GWG | @RattlersLax defeat @DenverOutlaws 13-12 #DALatDEN pic.twitter.com/A5ZwOEYOKz
— Lax Sports Network (@LaxSportsNet) July 22, 2018
Rattler goalie Blaze Riorden made seven saves in the final period as the visitors rallied behind two goals apiece from Zach Greer (remember him?) and Ryan McNamara. Matt Kavanagh scored three goals to lead Denver.
Charlotte (7-6) used an 8-2 second period to pull away from host Chesapeake (8-3) in a 20-10 win that restored the Hounds’ half-game lead over New York for fourth place. Mike Chanenchuk, Matt Rambo and Joe McCallion each tallied two points in the decisive frame, which helped to end the Bayhawks’ win streak at seven games.
Chanenchuk finished with five points, and Kevin Cooper led Charlotte with four goals. Colin Heacock scored four goals for Chesapeake, all in the second half.
Atlanta (5-6) remained alive in the playoff chase with a 13-10 win at Ohio, fueled in part by 12 saves from Adam Ghitelman and a defense that allowed talented Machine rookie Justin Guterding to get off just three shots. Defenseman Liam Byrnes primarily guarded Guterding, and the Blaze got three goals and an assist from Kevin Rice to secure their second straight road win.
Atlanta kept within striking distance of Charlotte and New York in the race for fourth place and a playoff spot. The Blaze will lead off this week’s slate by hosting Chesapeake Thursday. Members of US Lacrosse can take advantage of a ticket discount to this game.