Below is a recap of Day One games at the 2015 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship as well as some photos from the Opening Day Ceremonies.
Iroquois Take Blue Division Opener vs. Team USA
The Iroquois pulled away late for a 13-9 win on opening night of the 2015 WILC. Photo: Coyote Magic Action Images
(SYRACUSE, N.Y.) The United States scrapped and clawed and willed its way back from a four-goal deficit.
Its defenders dug in against the devastating Thompson trio and its offense kept firing until the shots started falling. The result was a one-goal deficit with 15 minutes left to play.
But when the third quarter turned to the fourth, effort gave way to talent. A loaded Iroquois roster outscored the Americans 5-2 in the final frame to polish off a 13-9 win on the first night of the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships.
Lyle Thompson dodged in untouched from the left side. Jeff Shattler came off a screen on the right side and scored before USA goalie Jake Henhawk turned his head. Randy Staats buried a shot from 8 yards out angled left.
The Iroquois squelched any remaining American hope when Brandon Goodwin bounced a shot through the 5-hole on a breakaway with 5:07 to play, breaking the sold-out crowd at War Memorial Arena to their feet for a final time.
For the USA, a commendable comeback was for naught.
After a 6-2 start by the Iroquois, it appeared the United States was on the verge of being blown out.
But Joe Walters cranked home a sidewinder from about 12 yards out with 5:50 left in the second quarter. Then Marcus Holman found a cutting Blaze Riorden to make it 6-4 moments later.
Riorden, Albany’s starting goalie, is no stranger to shooting after taking a save the length of the field to score against Cornell this spring.
After the Iroquois tallied the final two goals of the half — the second coming on a buzzer-beating 15-yard shot from the point by Lyle Thompson — the USA won the third frame 3-0.
Holman found Joe Reseterits for his second goal at the end of the quarter to bring the USA within 8-7.
But that would be the USA’s final score before a pair of garbage-time tallies.
Shattler and Lyle Thompson finished with three goals each for the Iroquois.
The Iroquois return to action on Sunday when they take on Canada at 5 p.m. The USA faces the Czech Republic on Sunday at 1 p.m.
USA vs Iroquois Photos
Photos: Coyote Magic Action Images
Day 1 Results
Israel 15, Serbia 8
In the first game of the 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship on Friday morning, Israel raced to a 7-2 lead early in the second quarter and never led by fewer than five the rest of the way. Kyle Bergman finished with three goals for the Israelis. Ilija Gajic had three goals and two assists for Serbia in the loss.
BOX SCORE
Turkey 12, Switzerland 6
Turkey led 10-3 at halftime despite being outshot 36-16. Turkey goalie Scott Komer finished with an 89 percent save percentage on 47 shots faced.
BOX SCORE
Ireland 10, Germany 7
Stephen Keogh scored three goals with two assists for the Irish, who scored 45 seconds in and never trailed despite Germany winning 12 of 18 faceoffs and shots about even; Ireland 49 and Germany 48.
BOX SCORE
Australia 7, Finland 6
Tim Ratje’s first goal of the game with 2:26 left in the fourth quarter was the winner. Jesse Whinnen had the assist. Caleb Hall had a hat trick for the Aussies.
BOX SCORE
Day 2 Schedule
11 a.m. ET — Finland vs. Switzerland, Onondaga Arena (Red Division)
2 p.m. — Turkey vs. Australia, Onondaga Arena (Red Division)
5 p.m. — Czech Republic vs. England, Onondaga Arena (Blue Division)
4:30 p.m. — Serbia vs. Ireland, Village Pavilion (Green Division)
7:30 p.m. — Germany vs. Israel, Village Pavilion (Green Division)
— Stephen Bailey, LaxMagazine.com (republished with permission)
Original Article: Iroquois Take Blue Division Opener vs. Team USA
