USIL - US Indoor Lacrosse

USA WINS WORLD FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 26, 2010

Chris Schiller and Team USA defeated Canada on Saturday, 12-10, in the championship game of the FIL World Lacrosse Championships on Saturday in Manchester, England. The game was telecast live on ESPNU. The US reclaims the gold medal, after Canada had defeated the US in 2006 to win the gold.

A four-year long rebuilding project by the U.S. men's national team culminated Saturday in a 12-10 victory over Canada -- the team that dethroned it in 2006 -- in the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championship final before 4,651 fans at the University of Manchester.

"We dreamed of this. This was our destiny," said Team USA head coach Mike Pressler. "The script was written. We just had to go out there and prove it."

Team USA's seventh world title did not come easy. The U.S. seized an 8-4 halftime lead with four unanswered goals in the second quarter. But Canada stormed back, blanking Team USA in the third quarter to tie it at 8. It set up another epic U.S.-Canada, fourth quarter showdown.

Zack Greer (Minnesota Swarm) gave Canada its first lead at 9-8 with just under 17 minutes remaining.

Ryan Powell (Edmonton Rush) assisted on a Brendan Mundorf goal, tying the game at 9 with about 12 minutes remaining.

John Grant Jr. (Rochester Knighthawks) answered for Canada, posting up U.S. defenseman Shawn Nadelen (Philadelphia Wings), getting topside, rolling back outside and dunking a goal to put the Canadians ahead 10-9 with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Team USA took the lead with four minutes remaining, and never looked back. Midfielder Paul Rabil (Washington Stealth) finished with three goals and was named the MVP of the 2010 FIL World Championships. Grant led Canada with three goals and an assist. Greer added two goals.

Former NLL goaltender and coach Chris Sanderson made 10 saves in the loss.

Among the players joining Rabil on the All-World team were Max Seibald (Philadelphia Wings) and defensemen and Kyle Sweeney (Wings).