| LONDON, Ontario--A day after its emotional last-second win over Canada, the U.S. men's national team secured the Blue Division's No. 1 seed -- and a bye during Wednesday's divisional crossover round -- with a more-comfortable 21-13 victory Monday over the Iroquois Nationals in the 2006 International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) World Championships, during a hot and humid afternoon at TD Waterhouse Stadium.
Mike Powell led the way with a game-high seven assists to go with a goal, while brothers Ryan Powell (3g, 3a) and Casey Powell (3g, 1a) ensured another impressive showing by the trio, which combined for 18 points in the win. Scott Urick led all goal scorers with four.
The U.S. dominated in faceoffs (27-of-37) and issued an effective extra-man offense (4-for-9), two areas which plagued Team USA in its win over Canada on Sunday. The U.S. escaped that game with a 13-12 win on Jay Jalbert's goal with three seconds remaining.
On Monday, the Americans jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter and never trailed.
"After an emotional game like yesterday, it was not easy to get up for today," said U.S. head coach John Desko. "If this heat keeps up and the other teams keep playing, it (Wednesday's bye) could help us."
The Iroquois used a four-goal run bridging the first and second quarters to close within 6-4 when Roger Vyse (2g) stuffed a rebound 30 seconds into the second. But the U.S. answered with four goals of its own, culminating when Mike Powell tracked down Iroquois defenseman Mark Burnham on a clear, jarred the ball loose, and fed Casey Powell on the crease to make it 10-4 at the 9:01 mark of the second quarter.
Another six-goal spurt by the U.S. in the third quarter put the game out of reach.
Delby Powless (2g, 2a) and goalie Marty Ward (17 saves) led the Iroquois in the losing cause.
Team USA (4-0) wraps up round-robin play tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. against Japan, followed by the Iroquois (2-2) against Australia.
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Line Score 1 2 3 4 F (Full Box)
U.S. 6 6 6 3 21
Iroquois 3 3 2 5 13
Goals - US: Urick 4, C. Powell 3, R. Powell 3, Boyle 2, Jalbert 2, Miller 2, Colsey, M. Powell, Harrison, Haugen, Shanahan; I: B. Bucktooth 2, D. Powless 2, Schindler 2, Vyse 2, Jones, N. Powless, Ca. Bomberry, Co. Bomberry, Squire.
Assists - US: M. Powell 7, R. Powell 3, Boyle 2, C. Powell, Miller, Urick, Cassese, Jalbert, Walters; I: D. Powless 2, Schindler 2, Jamieson, Squire, Ca. Bomberry, B. Bucktooth.
Shots - US 56, I 33. Saves - US 14 (Garrity 9, Tierney 5), I 17 (Ward). Faceoffs - US 27, I 10. Ground Balls - US 28, I 15. |
