From National To World Champion

July 26, 2010

Courtesy of Duke



MANCHESTER, England-A trio of former Blue Devils led the United States back to the pinnacle of international lacrosse with a 12-10 victory over rival Canada in the gold medal game of the 2010 Federation of Lacrosse World Championships in Manchester. Kevin Cassese, Ned Crotty and Matt Zash all were in uniform for the US squad. Former Duke standout, Zack Greer, played for the Canadian team.



After losing to Canada in pool play this year, the United States avenged that loss along with the setback to Team Canada in the 2006 gold medal contest. The win gives the US its seventh world title.



The United States raced out to an 8-4 halftime lead with four unanswered in the second quarter. Greer completed Canada’s comeback in the fourth quarter, giving the team its first lead of the game at 9-8 with 17 minutes remaining.



The two squads traded goals leaving Canada ahead 10-9 with 9:56 on the clock. That’s when Crotty left his mark on the game.



The team’s youngest player and 2010 Tewaaraton Trophy winner with Duke, Crotty tied it at 10 on a low-to-high riser off a Mike Leveille feed with 8:50 left.



Less than three minutes later, Crotty scored what proved to be the game-winner on a phenomenal bounce shot as he fell to the ground. The ball flung off the turf and found a space under the crossbar and above the stick of Canadian goalie Chris Sanderson.



Canada regained possession, but turned the ball over with four minutes left and the United States was able to run the clock out for the two-goal victory.



Midfielder Paul Rabil finished with three goals and was named the MVP of the 2010 FIL World Championships. Mike Leveille added three goals and Brendan Mundorf and Crotty scored two goals and added an assist. Cassese served as co-captain of the squad.



Greer netted two goals for Canada.



FIL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – GOLD MEDAL GAME



Team USA 12, Canada 10

USA – 3 – 5 – 0 – 4… 12

CAN – 2 – 2 – 4 – 2… 10



Goals: USA – Rabil 3, Leveille 3, Crotty 2, Mundorf 2, Powell, Striebel; CAN – Grant 3, Greer 2, Billings, Crowley, Huntley, Steenhuis, Williams.



Assists: USA – Crotty, Mundorf, Powell; CAN – Duch, Grant, Huntley, Small.



Saves: USA – Dougherty 15; CAN – Sanderson 10.



Faceoffs: USA – Smith 11-of-22, Peyser 0-of-1; CAN – Snider 12-of-22.