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LAX Herald Friday - July 12, 2002
The official publication of the 2002 World Lacrosse Championship
Japan unable to topple Iroquois
By Ben Spencer
A BIZZARE ploy by Japan just minutes
from time could not prevent Iroquois
recording a heart-stopping win in blustery
conditions yesterday.
The play-off, to determine who would
meet the US in the next round, saw the first
overtime of the championship so far, but it
was Japan's tactics, labelled by some Grand
Masters' players in the press box as unsportsmanlike,
that received the most attention.
Late in the final period Iroquois midfielder
JD Jones scored a crucial goal from close
range to give his side a 15-13 advantage.
Seeing that time was running out, Japan
called for the referee to check the legality of
Jones' stick by ensuring that the ball fell
evenly out of the net.
Jones received a hefty three-minute penalty,
as well as the goal being disallowed.
Japan again tried this tactic after Iroquois
scored the first goal of overtime but, on this
occasion the stick was legal and Iroquois
ran away with the match.
The speed of Japanese 21-year-old Naoki
Oyoshi provided headaches for the Iroquios
defence as he opened the scoring three minutes
in.
Some undisciplined Japanese penalties
late in the first term opened the door for the
Iroquois to peg back an early Japanese lead,
and with Jamie Kirby scoring just before
quarter-time, the match was tied at three-all.
Iroquois jumped out of the blocks in the
second quarter to take a 6-4 lead courtesy of
some strong work up front from Alan Jones.
But an abundance of possessions saw
Iroquois become over-confident, highlighted
by a wild shot from Gewas Schindler
late in the half.
Japan lifted at the start of the second half,
Yoshiro Suzumra reducing Iroquois' three goal
half-time lead with an unassisted goal
that saw him land flat on his face, sending
the vocal Japanese supporters into a frenzy.
Japan maintained their forward pressure
and reduced the margin to one by three-quarter
time, a result of the brilliant reflexes
of Takeshi Yoshida in goal and Hideyuki
Kanda's magnificent flick two seconds from
the break.
The momentum Japan had gathered carried
them into the final period where they
were able to peg back a 14-11 lead to finish
normal time at fourteen-all, courtesy of the
aforementioned tactics.
But Iroquois' power in attack and skill
through the midfield saw them run away
with one of the games of the tournament.
Excitement not limited to Stadium
By Jason Dattilo
IF YOU are one of those people who have
neglected watching some of the ancillary
events at this World Championship, you
have missed some exciting lacrosse.
The Under-17s in particular have showcased
some of the most exciting up-andcoming
lacrosse players the world has to offer.
Players from both the Baltimore and the
US All-Stars took the field early yesterday
and displayed the type of passion and skill
that would make professionals proud.
The US All Stars comprises players from
12 states who attend training camps, while
the Baltimore side is made up of a group of
friends who play together regularly and
have flown to Perth to gain some valuable
experience and "have fun".
And fun is what they had as they dished
out a comprehensive 25-12 defeat of the All
Stars to remain undefeated.
The teams made no secret of their intense
rivalry, highlighted by All-Star Kevin
Russell being left motionless for 10 minutes
after he received a whack across the face
from an opponent's stray stick.
Despite the spiteful and at times ugly
encounter there is no doubt we may very
well see some of these players don the senior
US guernsey in the future and continue
the USA's international dominance of lacrosse.
Kevin Huntley in particular looks like he
could be a future US attacker after an
impressive nine goals against the All-Stars
to follow his eight against Victoria.
Age no barrier for veteran
By Peter Law
A 79-YEAR-OLD Australian
will carry the flag as one of the
oldest competitors in the 2002
Festival of Lacrosse.
Not that Noel Jeffrey will
take part in the sharp end of the
competition. He will be among
the host of former champions
- roughly 100 in all - to
compete in an ancillary of the
championship for veterans.
Eighteen teams compete in
the over 35, over 40 and over
45 competitions, which has run
alongside the main event.
For the senior competitions,
each team has a maximum of 23
players. Ten players a side are
on the field at all times and
ample off-field breaks in the
one-hour matches allow the former
champions to recuperate.
Noel Jeffrey, travelled from
Seattle for the tournament,
extending his lacrosse career to
eight decades. He took up
lacrosse in 1935, at age 13, with
the Molvern Lacrosse Club in
Victoria.
In his time with Molvern he
was a member of 10 consecutive
premierships, which was
considered a world record at the
time. He was also named in the
Victorian State team for 10 consecutive
years.
His efforts were rewarded in
1953 and 1956 when he was
named in the All-Australian side
as a centreman.
A career highlight came when
he was selected to travel to
America as a part of Australia's
first ever overseas tour in 1962.
Australia won two and tied
one of its matches in its 11
game tour, but the lasting
impact of the tour was the
strong bonds forged between
the lacrosse-playing nations.
The tour was the end of his
playing career for Australia,
however he toured again in
1967 in the role of Australian
Lacrosse Council international
liasion officer. The 2002
Championship will be Noel's
fifth and final, and he finished a
champion with his team The
Blue Veins winning the Aussie
Masters Modcrosse Tournament.
Noel was 25 years older than
some of his younger opponents,
but he said despite his aging
body the tournament was a fantastic
experience.
"The spirit was willing but
the flesh was weak," he said.
"It's great getting together
every four years to meet with
past players and opponents."
Noel played his last game of
his illustrious lacrosse career
yesterday, and in a kind act of
generosity typical of the man,
gave away his Championship
medal to an injured team-mate
whose position in The Blue
Veins team he took before the
tournament.
Noel used an original hickory
lacrosse stick in the competition.
The stick was given to him
by his lacrosse mentor in 1985
and had never been used until a
couple of days ago when it
caused a great deal of interest
among players and supporters.
"A young boy came up to me
and asked where he could buy
one of these things," he said.
Noel says lacrosse has developed
dramatically since his representative
days.
"They play a different sport
out there today. It's a lot faster
and more skilful, endurance was
important in my day because we
didn't even have substitutes," he
said.
Park Buzz
THREE species of wild animals
have been identified at
this Championship, the goat,
the horse and the lacrosse
goalie. The question must be
asked - who's higher on the
food chain?
The goat stuck in a pen; the
horse, a beast of burden; or
the goalie who volunteers to
be pelted by lacrosse balls?
[JV & BO'S]
Lost in the translation?
A BROADCASTER feeling
sorry for Japan's inability to
find the back of the net encouraged
the crowd to "Give it up
for Japan'.
Unfortunately the Japanese
supporters thought she said
"Give it up Japan."
Top marks though for their
dedication in creating the 1000
cranes (pictured left) but they
may need to work on their
comprehension. [JT & BA]
Former stars showcase talent in wet
By Gemma Criddle
CANADA West's face-off dominance
helped secure a 9-7 defeat of the USA
Eagles in the Grand Masters Division yesterday.
In a good-natured contest that saw supporters
from both sides brave the wintry
conditions, the West came out all guns blazing
and took advantage of their face-off
supremacy to score five goals to nil in the
first period.
The Eagles regrouped in the second quarter
with goals from Dave Burns, Chip Veise
and Jock McGuirk while restricting West to
just one, giving them some momentum
leading into half-time.
In heavy showers the Canadians stepped
up a gear with strong attacking runs by former
World All-Star Jim Aitchison.
Bobby Tasker and Ken McDonald were
both impressive for the Canadians through
the midfield, sharing some tough contests with
Eagles' midfielders Bill Erb and John Zlatos.
But West had the upper hand for most of
the match taking full advantage of its control
of play to convert possession into goals.
Spirits were high as the Canadians went
into the final period leading 8-4 in heavy
rain. A valiant three-goal comeback in the
fourth period from the Eagles was not
enough to overpower the West's forceful
attacking style.
Many of the Grand Masters players have
been involved in lacrosse for over 30 years,
with Perth-based Eagles player Bill Erb a
45-year veteran of the sport.
Canada West trainer Kerry Jack said one
of her biggest challenges was trying to keep
the players injury free.
The Grand Masters tournament has been
evenly contested with Canada Wests having
won three games and lost two while the
Eagles have four wins from six games.
Young stars of the future battle it out
By Tessa Heal
THEY may only be 14, but the Under 15s
lacrosse players in this year's tournament
are serious about winning.
The Eastside Kings and Southern Crosse
both hail from Victoria and as expected, there
is a fierce rivalry between the two clubs.
The first half of yesterday's game was a
scrappy affair, with Eastside scoring their
only goal through Michael Todor and
Southern Crosse scoring through Jake Egan
(two goals) and Robert Chamberlain.
Down by two goals at half-time, Eastside
Kings coaches John Hadden and Ross
Melville gave a rousing speech imploring
their players to focus, play their own game
and support each other. Before yesterday's
match, Eastside had lost their previous two
games by one goal and the team was determined
not to let it happen again.
Hadden told the team they deserved to
win and to do it for each other.
The inspirational speech worked wonders
for the Eastside team and they dominated
the third quarter, piling on five goals to one
in a rain-delayed contest.
Eastside big man Tallon Tulloch scored
two goals and Michael Todor controlled the
midfield play.
Tulloch was a part of the Southern Crosse
team that won last year's national championship
and has continued his dominant form
since moving to Eastside.
The three-quarter time score saw Eastside
up 6-4 and both teams were determined to
play a big last quarter.
But rainy and blustery conditions prevented
either team from taking hold of the
game and Eastside's Lachlan Graf sealed
his team's 7-4 win with his second goal of
the match.
Southern Crosse's Sam Maunder was
awarded MVP for the game. His performance,
along with Robert Chamberlain's goal
and two assists, was encouraging despite his
side losing the game.
Toyota shoot for perfect swansong
By Ben Anderson
TEAM Toyota ran over Masters opponent
Crease Monkeys 10-6, keeping intact their
perfect record in what is probably the
team's final tournament.
Team Toyota's Marc Hoffman said the
tournament would be the finale for many of
the team members.
"We won the Masters tournament in 1998
as Team LAXWorld and we want to win it
again," he said.
"Four or five guys are old enough to play
in the Grand Masters but we stayed together
for one last championship."
First quarter honours were shared with
both teams scoring three goals.
Team Toyota were two goals up by halftime
as rain sent players and officials running
for cover. Crease Monkeys failed to
score after the main break.
Amix-up on the scoreboard during the third
quarter left spectators scratching their heads.
When the mistake was rectified Team
Toyota was a goal ahead and weren't troubled
for the rest of the match.
The Crease Monkeys are an invitational
team with players from a dozen different
states including Hawaii, Maryland and Florida.
This is the second time the Monkeys have
played in Australia. They won the Paradise
Indy Lacrosse Tourney in 1999.
Crease Monkey manager Harry Mazaheri
said the team's aim was to have fun.
Italian stallions extend winning run
By Braden Quartermaine and Vanessa Frzop
LACROSSE is relatively unknown in Italy,
but players from all over the world with
Italian backgrounds have come together to
compete here in the International Open
Tournament during the week.
Forming the team through e-mail, the
players met for the first time last Friday and
spent the night getting to know each other
and talking tactics.
Italy United captain-coach Robert Corna,
from Rome, is the side's only Italian resident.
Americans and Australians of Italian
descent make up most of the team, with one
player from Argentina.
Yesterday United took on the Australian
Under 19 side in a game which was neckand-
neck until the end, with Italy United's
Francesco Castello scoring the late winner
in his side's 6-5 victory.
Tempers flared in the last quarter as a dispute
erupted between players, coaches and
officials over the legality of an United timeout
call.
The tight defences of both sides left little
room for goal manoeuvring and at the main
break the Australian under-19's led 4-3.
Near the end of the game with both sides
seemingly going nowhere, and with the
coaches sensing this, both teams used the
last of their time-outs to regroup and discuss
player substitutions.
United's unbeaten record was kept in tact
when Castello scored with three minutes on
the clock.
Captain-coach Corna is the driving force
behind Italian Lacrosse and dreams of starting
a competition there. He is promoting
indoor five-a-side games on small courts as
a way of increasing interest in lacrosse
among Italians.
Corna said more players from Italy
wanted to make the trip but flight costs
were a major barrier.
"It broke my heart that they couldn't
come but we're here anyway," he said.
Although United is not an official national
team, their participation is an important
step towards promoting lacrosse in Italy.
Wales crisis talks produce big win
Story and photos by Peter Law
AFTER five losses Wales called a crisis
meeting late Wednesday night in an attempt
to turn around their disappointing form and
avert any danger of being demoted in the
divisional play-off against Korea.
The initiative worked as the Welshmen
finally displayed some pride in a 19-10
thumping of Korea yesterday.
Korea opened the scoring in a fascinating
first quarter, but this sparked Wales into
action as they piled on six unanswered goals.
The Welsh attackers took advantage of
the rain-soaked astro turf surface by firing
long range bounce-shots at the helpless
Korean goalie, Edward Young-sul Chung.
As the match threatend to turn into a onesided
contest, Korean coach John Haus
called a time-out to settle his players and
reinforce the importance of controlling possession
in the tough conditions.
The pep-talk worked, as Korea pegged
back the deficit to be within two goals of
Wales midway through the second quarter.
But the Koreans soon returned to their
bad habits, giving away costly penalties and
unforced turnovers.
Welsh attacker Gavin Chamberlain capitalised
on the mistakes to score two quick
goals, giving his side a 10-5 lead at the break.
The Welsh continued the onslaught in the
second half with two goals in two minutes.
The contest was all but over when Craig
Caputo whipped a spectacular shot round
the back of his head past three Korean
defenders to give Wales an unattainable
eight goal lead.
Korea displayed great team spirit in the
last quarter as they dominated possesion for
the entire term but failed to make a significant
impression on the scoreboard. Sung-uk
Hwang was Korea's best, finishing with
three goals and one assist.
John Haus said Korea still had a lot of
work to do to compete with the experienced
lacrosse playing nations but indicated Korea
would be a force to be reckoned with at the
next World Championship.
Wales finished with an amazing 12 individual
goal scorers in great team performance.
Welsh coach Ray Nash said he hoped the
victory would turn around his team's fortunes.
"We were in a position to lose today and
finish twelfth, but the win means we can
move up the table to ninth, which is the best
that Wales has ever achieved," he said.
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