Team USA went 4-1 in Round Robin play.
TUESDAY RECAP: FINAL DAY OF ROUND-ROBIN PLAY
USA & Canada win their last games before playoff round
07/20/2010
Tuesday was the final day of round-robin play at FIL World Lacrosse Championships in Manchester, England. Both Canada (5-0) and USA (4-1) will advance to the playoff round. Team USA beat Japan, 19-5, while Canada defeated England, 17-6. Game recaps of the Canada and USA wins are listed below.Team Canada Remain Undefeated: Canada 17, England 6
By Megan Robinson, for NLL.com
Team Canada (5-0) remained undefeated after dominating Team England (2-3) 17-6, in the final day of round-robin match play at FIL World Lacrosse Championships, Tuesday afternoon from Manchester Stadium Pitch in dreary English weather conditions.
England, who sought a win to guarantee advancement to the playoff round of the tournament, was anticipated to put up a strong fight against the undefeated Team Canada in the final Blue Division Match.
Geoff Snider, who was a member of the 2006 gold medal Team Canada along with starting Goaltender, Chris Sanderson, won the first face-off of the game for Canada. Within a minute of the initial whistle, Canada took a quick lead with two goals from Attackers Corey Small (Edmonton Rush) and Garrett Billings (Toronto Rock).
Chris Sanderson made astounding saves in net for Canada holding England scoreless for just over twelve minutes into the game, making it appear unlikely England would stand a chance against the defending World Champions.
Canada looked comfortable with the first two goals of the game but once England tied the game, Canada quickly pulled away stepping up their speed and attack. Despite coming back from a two goal deficit early on, tying the game with two goals from Attackers Evan Watson and Lewis Ratcliff (Washington Stealth), England was quickly left behind.
Canada took off, scoring seven consecutive goals into the third quarter.
Chris Sanderson, All-World and former NLL goaltender and a gold medal winner four years ago for Team Canada in the London, Ontario Tournament, is back in 2010 after a rough battle with brain cancer which he was diagnosed with in 2008.
Sanderson, ready to defend Canada's Title, fought off the English attack allowing a total of six goals which played a vital part in the defense against England throughout the entirety of the game.
Team Canada attackers cut right through the defense of England, scoring seventeen goals past England Goaltender Ben McAllister. Midfielder Dan Dawson (Boston Blazers) lead the scoring for Team Canada with three goals.
Corey Small (Edmonton Rush), John Grant Jr. (Rochester Knighthawks), Kevin Huntley (Philadelphia Wings), and Shawn Williams (Rochester Knighthawks) added two goals each to the victory.
Garrett Billings (Toronto Rock), Rhys Duch (Washington Stealth), Jordan Hall (Orlando Titans), Kevin Crowley, Zack Greer (Minnesota Swarm) and Ryan McClelland all contributed an additional goal for Team Canada.
Both Canada (5-0) and USA (4-1) will advance to the playoff round. USA defeated Japan 19-5 on Tuesday morning. Canada has a bye-day Wednesday before they begin their semi-final play on Thursday in Manchester.
Team USA 19, Japan 5
Recap by Dan Ventresca for NLL.com
Drew Westervelt (Philadelphia Wings) scored twice and team USA beat Japan 19-5 in Manchester, England on Tuesday in its final game in Blue Division play at the FIL World Lacrosse Championships.
Ryan Powell (Edmonton Rush) and Max Seibald (Wings) each recorded two points (one goal, one assist).
Japan jumped out to a 1-0 lead just one minute into the game, but the Americans responded with a 13-goal barrage that took the game into half time with a score of 13-1.
Midfielder Paul Rabil (Washington Stealth) scored a goal sandwiched in between two Japanese goals, bringing the score to 14-3 after three quarters.
Westervelt's second tally came midway through the final quarter, and Japan added two goals in the last two minutes of the game to make the score 19-5.
Check back to NLL.com for recaps and information on how the stars of the NLL are playing in the FIL World Lacrosse Championships.
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