July 25, 2010
Rabil, U.S. win world title
by PR Wire Report/
Boston Cannons midfielder Paul Rabil was named MVP of the World Championships as Team USA defeated Canada in the title game on Saturday. (photo: Major League Lacrosse)
The United States men’s lacrosse team defeated Canada on Saturday, 12-10, to win the Federation of International Lacrosse World Championships title in Manchester, England.
The win redeemed Team USA after the Americans were defeated by Canada in the 2006 championship game.
“We dreamed of this. This was our destiny,” said Team USA head coach Mike Pressler, who is the head coach at Bryant University. “The script was written. We just had to go out there and prove it.”
The victory was Team USA's seventh world title.
The Americans took an 8-4 lead at the half but Canada bounced back and the teams entered the fourth quarter tied 8-8.
Zack Greer put Canada ahead 9-8 in the fourth before Team USA's Brendan Mundorf answered to make it 9-9.
Canada again went up by a goal as John Grant Jr. made it 10-9, but once again Team USA evened the score, this time on a goal by Ned Crotty, making it 10-10.
Crotty then scored the go-ahead goal and what would prove to be the game-winner as he fired a bounce shot past Canadian goalie Chris Sanderson.
With four minutes remaining in the game Canada turned the ball over and the U.S. maintained possession the rest of the way.
Mike Leveille scored with 1:19 to go for the 12-10 final score.
Boston Cannons midfielder Paul Rabil had three goals to lead Team USA and was named MVP of the 2010 World Championships. Leveille also tallied three goals, with Mundorf and Crotty scoring two apiece.
Rabil, who was also named the top midfielder of the World Championships, was joined on the All-World team by teammates Leveille, Max Seibald, Mundorf, and Boston Cannons defensemen Ryan McClay and Kyle Sweeney.
Grant led Canada with three goals and an assist.
