Team USA Cruises Past Ireland, Iroquois Await in WILC Semis

By Stephen Bailey for LaxMagazine.com | Box Score

Coyote Magic Action Photos

ONONDAGA, N.Y. — Team USA goalie David Mather flubbed a pass from behind the net. The ball fell right into an Ireland attack’s stick 3 yards in front of the crease. His shot zoomed high and wide left.

It was just that kind of afternoon for the Irish as the United States dominated from start to finish in a 22-2 victory at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships on Thursday.

Casey Powell led the USA (3-2) with four goals — achieving a hat trick at the 11:02 mark of the second quarter — to go with seven assists. Kevin Buchanan (3 g, 5a), Drew Snider (4g, 2a), Blaze Riorden (3g, 3a), Jeff Ratcliffe (3 g, 1a) and Garrett Thul (3g, 1a) also recorded hat tricks while Mather and Chris Collins combined to save 22-of-24 shots on goal.

Kevin Owens and Stephen Keogh scored the two goals for Ireland (3-3) while goalie Micahel Cregan saved 38 of the 55 shots he faced before heading to the bench at the end of the third quarter.

Powell started the scoring barrage just 23 seconds into regulation, sparking a 4-0 run as part of what would ultimately be a 13-1 half. Kevin Buchanan leaked out on a missed Ireland shot a few minutes later for a breakaway score before Powell found the net again and Jeff Ratcliffe got on the board coming off a pick and roll.

Owens scored for Ireland on a scoop shot from the point with 6:11 left in the first quarter to make it 4-1, but the Irish were held scoreless for the next 40:50 thereafter. That stretch included a 5-on-3 chance shortly after Owens’ tally.

Buchanan and Greg Downing were next to find the net for the USA before Powell tallied his third. Then Blaze Riorden notched his first goal before USA pulled its goalie and Thul made it 9-1 with 8:40 left before halftime.

The USA continued to cruise, leading by 12 at the break and 18-1 after three quarters. Keogh ended the scoreless streak for Ireland in the fourth quarter to cap off a long afternoon for his team.

The USA advances to the semifinals where it will face the Iroquois Nationals on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. In their first matchup last Friday, the Iroquois won 13-9.

Canada will take on Israel in the other semifinal on Friday at 5:30 p.m., while Ireland will play the Czech Republic in a consolation match on Friday at 2 p.m.

Thursday Results

Australia 17, Serbia 13
Turkey 15, Switzerland 12
United States 22, Ireland 2
Israel 13, Czech Republic 12

Friday Schedule (Watch Games Here)

10:30 a.m. – Finland vs. Germany, Onondaga Arena
11 a.m. – Turkey vs. Serbia, Village Pavillion
1:30 p.m. – England vs. Australia, Onondaga Arena
2 p.m. – Czech Republic vs. Ireland, Villaga Pavillion
4:30 p.m. – Canada vs. Israel, Onondaga Arena
7:30 p.m. – Iroquois vs. United States, Onondaga Arena

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