U.S. beats Canada for world men’s field lacrosse title on late comeback
Controversial winning goal in final second of game
NETANYA, ISREAL — Head coach Randy Mearns accepts that Canada lost on the final play of the world field lacrosse championship, but he doesn’t have to like it.
Tom Schreiber’s third goal of the day came as time expired in the gold-medal game as the United States edged Canada 9-8 on Saturday. The Americans had control of the ball on an inbounds with nine seconds left in the fourth quarter and the score tied 8-8.
A discrepancy between the clock on the stadium’s scoreboard and the official timekeeper, however, led to confusion as to whether or not Schreiber had scored before time expired or if Canada still had time left to take a faceoff and potentially score.
“Chaos, pretty much,” Mearns said after the game. “It is what it is. Players play, coaches coach, referees referee. It felt to us that there was nine seconds on the clock and the play started and the clock (on the scoreboard) didn’t move for four seconds and then it went on and on and on and Team USA took a shot and there was four seconds left and we were like ’how come we’re not already at zero?’
“Then they got another look and then, obviously, they scored with a second left to play. It was just chaotic down there. I don’t know what else to tell you.”
Ryan Brown had a hat trick for the Americans, tying the game 8-8 with 3:03 left to play. There was also controversy surrounding that goal, however.
Mark Cockerton’s second goal of the game had put Canada up 8-7. The Canadians won the ensuing faceoff but they were called offside, giving the U.S. possession of the ball. Brown took full advantage, scoring on a laser.
“We didn’t feel like we were offside,” said Mearns. “That happened with about three minutes left. We were up a goal and we have the ball and we are pretty good at holding the ball.”
Paul Rabil, Marcus Holman and Matthew Danowski also scored for the U.S., while goalie John Galloway made four saves for the win.
“At the end of it, Team USA made a play. They had the ball last and they scored, so, kudos to them and congratulations to them,” said Mearns.
There’s no video in international lacrosse, so the only option for on-field officials was to consult with each other.
Former Peterborough Laker Curtis Dickson led Canada with a three-goal performance and was named best attackman at the event. Ben McIntosh and Cockerton had two goals apiece, while Mark Matthews added a single.
Dillon Ward stopped nine shots in net for the Canadians and was honoured as the tournament’s best goaltender after the game.
Dickson, Ward, McIntosh, Graeme Hossack and Ryland Rees were named to the all-world team.
U.S. defender Michael Ehrhardt was named the tournament’s most valuable player.
The late Dave Huntley, architect of the Canadian men’s field national team program who died on Dec. 18, was posthumously honoured with the Federation of International Lacrosse’s Spirit of Lacrosse Award. Veteran faceoff specialist Geoff Snider announced before the final that it would be the final game of his career.
The silver medallists for Team Canada include Peterborough Lakers Jake Withers, Zach Currier and Matt Gilray.
The game was also the last for former Laker Geoff Snider, who has now represented Canada four times at the world championships, twice winning gold including in 2014.
On Friday, the Iroquois Nationals, featuring Laker Jake Fox, won bronze with a 14-12 win over Australia in the third-place game.
Finland, coached by Peterborough Lakers assistant coach Tracey Kelusky, finished 15th with a 16-3 win over Italy on Friday.