SPARKS, Md. — The USA Select teams wrapped up the Brogden Cup championship with four wins over Team Ontario on Sunday at US Lacrosse headquarters as part of the Fall Classic.
The eight weekend games were the culmination of the inaugural year of the US Lacrosse National Team Development Program. More than 1,300 players from around the country participated in 21 regional trials, coordinated in conjunction with the Premier Lacrosse League and the Women’s Professional Lacrosse League.
From that pool, nearly 300 players were invited to a national combine at US Lacrosse in August and 88 were selected to play on the USA U15 and U17 Select teams.
Led by an outstanding group of head coaches, Molly Ford (U15 girls), John Galloway (U17 boys) Caitlyn Phipps (U17 girls) and Joel White (U15 boys), the teams were firing on all cylinders this weekend.
In the most competitive game of the weekend, the USA U17 boys rallied for an 8-6 victory over Team Ontario on Sunday.
After a 2-2 halftime tie, Ontario’s Keese Zugehoer scored for a 3-2 lead for the Canadians, but the U.S. quickly responded, powered by its longpoles. LSM Patrick Guinee tied it up a minute later to ignite a quick three-goal run that ended with another longpole goal by Remington Reynolds. Reynolds finished the game with two goals to lead the U.S. offense.
Zugehoer and Alex Roussel each scored twice for Ontario and its goalie, Thomas MacDonald made four saves while allowing just two goals.
In Saturday’s U17 boys game, the U.S. squad won 15-7 behind three goals from Luke Dellicicchi. Evan Brake led Ontario with four goals.
The USA Select U15 boys swept its games against Ontario, winning 18-3 on Saturday and 15-5 on Sunday. Charles Balsamo and McCabe Millon each scored four goals in Saturday’s win and James Carr and Jimmy McCool combined for seven saves. Brady Hanna led Ontario with a pair of goals.
On Sunday, Millon scored four goals for the second straight game to lead the U.S. to the 15-5 win. Alex Giacobbe and Zach White each added two goals for USA Select.
The USA Select U15 girls opened play with a 19-3 win over Ontario on Saturday behind four goals form Gracie Britton. Kori Edmondson, Gianna Monaco and Kayle Mackiewicz each added hat tricks and Betty Nelson and Shea Dolce each made four saves. Ontario goalie Jillian Goldie made nine saves in one half of action.
On Sunday, the USA Select U15 girls scored four goals in the opening four minutes to set the tone in a 16-3 victory. Edmondson, Monaco and Mackiewicz each had hat tricks for the second straight day.
The USA Select U17 girls downed Team Ontario 18-8 on Saturday behind three goals each from Shria Parower and Jordyn Lipkin. Ontario goalie Kayleigh Aitken made seven saves and Alexis Delisle, Alexandra Nesbitt and Meghanne Hiltz each scored twice.
On Sunday, Team Ontario had significant possession at the start of the game, but couldn’t convert and the USA Select U17 girls offense starting cranking on the way to a 17-2 win. Annabelle Burke and Parower each scored three times and goalies Isabel Pithie and Chloe Provenzano combined for six saves.
Saturday Scores
USA Select U15 Boys 18, Team Ontario 3
USA Select U15 Girls 19, Team Ontario 3
USA Select U17 Boys 15, Team Ontario 7
USA Select U17 Girls, 18, Team Ontario 8
Sunday Scores
USA Select U15 Boys 15, Team Ontario 5
USA Select U15 Girls, 16 Team Ontario 3
USA Select U17 Boys 8, Team Ontario 6
USA Select U17 Girls 17, Team Ontario 2