U19 World Championships - Semi Final Recaps

Semi Final- USA vs. England - In the first semi-final game of the U-19 tournament of 2008, Team USA enters as the undefeated top seed to face Team England. It is a beautiful day with a strong breeze. In the previous meeting of these two teams earlier in the tournament USA blew out England 24-4. USA is heavily favored and the Brits look to try and turn the tide of the USA. However it would end just as everyone predicted final score USA 25 and England 5.

USA gets on the board first, but the game is slow and possessions are traded back and forth for much of the first half. The halftime score was 11-3 with the USA taking the top. The story of the game is at the face off X where face off specialist Matt Dolante (JHU) a familiar name who was the key to the USA’s domination of the NW College All Stars a week earlier. His expertise will be extremely important to the USA as they face Canada in the final. Goals came from all over the board. 

A determining factor of the USA’s dominance was their overall athleticism. Interestingly, they were able to outmuscle, outpace, outrun much of the English team. They could turn simple clears into fast breaks and take advantage of the transition game and let their attack finish with some points on the board. Also to note, the US is running two lines of attackmen that work well together in so doing it makes the English long poles change match-ups frequently. Despite the score, English goalie Anthony Hayes made some big saves.

Though the lopsided score would make the loss seem bitter there was a great sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship between the players of both teams as well as the fans. 

There was a great number of players, parents and fans from Great Britain having three teams represented- England, Scotland and Wales. The growth of the sport is evident not just domestically, but internationally as well. The Men’s World Championship will be held in Manchester, England in 2010. 

Semi Final- Canada vs. Iroquois Nationals The second match-up of the day was between the home favorite Team Canada and the Cinderella story in the Iroquois Nationals. Iroquois has a special purpose in this tournament being the originators of the sport, also they are the only athletic team to represent an indigenous people as a sovereign nation. Players chanted prayers before games and some players even used the old traditional wood sticks instead of the metal and plastic. However, they would not prevail over the heavy favorite playing in front of the home crowd. Final score Canada 23 Iroquois 12. 

The game would take a physical and almost brutal tone as both teams came out physical and with purpose. Interestingly, both teams played with similar styles. Their stickwork, movement and rotations were exciting to watch. Canada initiated mainly from their attack one player stood out- attackman Kiel Matisz (Stony Creek, Ont.) whose height, quickness and stickwork would plague the Iroquois throughout the game. Though Canada could rack up the score the Iroqouis never gave up, during the third quarter they found some momentum and won face offs. Their defense made some big takeaways and saves, but it would not stop the Canadian onslaught. 

Even though the large number of home fans were rooting for Canada. Many of the other international teams were cheering for the Iroquois. The stands were filled and their were plenty of cheers and tears on the field at the end of the game. One couldn’t help but honor and respect the Iroquois team who fought hard and embodied the old spirit of the sport that is now played internationally. 

After the game Canada head coach Gary Gait had some words…

Walax: What were the keys to winning this game today?

GG: It was sticking to the fundamentals like fighting and winning groundballs, team hustle and of course maintaining possession.

Walax: Who are the keys players that will be important for the upcoming game against USA?

GG: I like to think that everyone is a key player. All players are necessary for success in  this tournament. We hope some who haven’t stepped up yet will make a big play. 

Walax: What are you going to need to adjust in order to be successful over team USA?

GG: This time we are going to need to adjust offensively to their defense. 

The Medal games are set. The Bronze game will be England vs. Iroquois Nationals and the Gold medal is the titanic heavyweight match-up between the home town titan Team Canada and the 5-time undefeated U-19 Champion Team USA.