MANCHESTER, England -- When the FIL World Lacrosse Championships began last week, it was thought former and current America East men's lacrosse standouts could impact the outcome in a major way. Eighty-eight goals and 36 assists later, that thought has become reality.
Six of those players with America East ties can add to those totals when the United States and Canada meet for the world title Saturday at 11 a.m. in a matchup that will be televised ESPNU. Canada downed the U.S. in pool play, 10-9, on July 17.
UMBC alums Brendan Mundorf '06 and Drew Westervelt '07 lead the United States squad, which is 5-1 so far in the tournament. Mundorf in the Americans' leading scorer with 15 goals and nine assists in six games, while Westervelt ranks third on the team with 12 scores. Stony Brook head coach Rick Sowell, the 2010 America East Coach of the Year, will be on the sidelines as an assistant coach for the U.S.
The Canadians, who are a perfect 6-0 in the championship, are paced by Corey Small, a 2009 Albany graduate. Small's 16 points (10 goals, 6 assists) rank third among Canadians. John Grant, Jr., the 1999 America East Player of the Year, has tallied 10 goals and five assists. Reigning Player of the Year Kevin Crowley has contributed five goals and five assists while Rhys Duch, a teammate of Crowley's for two years at Stony Brook, has eight scores and two helpers.