U.S. lacrosse team stomps Northwest college all-stars

The popularity of lacrosse in the Northwest has led to more and more high school players going on to play in college. That popularity brought Team USA’s U-19 national team to Mercer Island Sunday for a clinic and an exhibition game against the Northwest college All-Stars.

July 1, 2008 3:45 pm
Taylor Platt (17) moves the ball upfield for the Northwest Collegiate All-Stars during and exhibition game against the U.S. National Under-19 team at Mercer Island on Sunday
Taylor Platt (17) moves the ball upfield for the Northwest Collegiate All-Stars during and exhibition game against the U.S. National Under-19 team at Mercer Island on Sunday

The popularity of lacrosse in the Northwest has led to more and more high school players going on to play in college. That popularity brought Team USA’s U-19 national team to Mercer Island Sunday for a clinic and an exhibition game against the Northwest college All-Stars.

Although the 21-2 final score was a bit lopsided, former Eastside high school players such as Taylor Platt and Tyler Lee were happy to give the five-time defending world champions a workout.

“They have quite a few amazing players,” said Platt, who graduated from Bellevue High School in 2007. “This was a great experience and fun to represent Washington.”

The 90-degree heat in the stands didn’t deter the more than 200 kids from around the area who attended the U-19 clinic from staying around to watch the game. But the heat in the stands was nothing compared to the heat on the field turf inside a full uniform.

“I just kept putting water anywhere I could,” said Lee, who graduated from Eastside Catholic in 2006. “We played better yesterday during our scrimmage. But we had no set defense.”

Team USA’s time playing together gave them a noticeable advantage over Northwest All-Stars who have mainly played against each other.

“It was fun to play with Ben York and some of the other guys I used to face off against,” said Lee, who now plays for Messiah College. “It is also fun to play with all these guys who play Division I.”

The U-19 team got on the board first, scoring three unanswered goals before Chris Taylor put one into the back of the net for the Northwest All-Stars.

Team USA showed why they will be representing their country in a few weeks at the world championships, building an 18-1 advantage.

“They are a good team and they have had six weeks to practice,” said Northwest All-Stars coach Ian O’Hearn, who is also the head coach of Mercer Island. “This was fun to get to coach some of the guys that we have played against.”

A third Eastside player, Ian Lee, also was named to the team, but had a prior commitment and could not attend. Lee currently plays for Messiah College with his brother and also graduated from Eastside Catholic.

Scoring

USA Under-19 6 7 3 5 — 21

NW All Stars 1 0 0 1 — 2

USA Under-19 Team

Craig Dowd (East Northport, N.Y. ) 3 goals, 1 assist.. Andrew Feinberg (Owings Mills, Md.) 3 goals. Dean Gibbons (Garden City, N.J.) 3 goals. Tim Donovan (Parkton, Md.) 3 goals. Rhamel Bratlon (Huntington, N.Y.) 2 goals. . Jack McBride (Madison, N.J.) 2 goals. James Green (Doylestown, Pa.) 1 goal, 1 assist. Mathew Mackrides (Newton Square, Pa.) 1 goal, 1 assist. Josh Amidon (Lafayette, N.Y.) 1 goal. Nicholas Elsmo (Edgewater, Md.) 1 goal. Joel White (Cortland, N.Y.) 1 goal. Ryan Young (Manhasset, N.Y.) 5 assists.

Goaltenders: Adam Ghitleman (Syosset, N.Y.) 3 saves. Tyler Fiorito (Phoenix, Md.) 3 saves.

NW All-Stars

Bryan Gilbreath (U.S. Air Force Academy, Sophomore / Bainbridge Island, 2007) 1 goal. Chris Taylor (Georgetown, Senior / Mercer Island, 2005) 1 goal.

Goaltenders: Jason Montoya (Lafayette, Junior /Garfield, 2006) 15 saves.

Attendance: 1,000 estimate