Glenn Clark, Team Canada take gold in World Lacrosse Box Championship
UTICA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Canada continues to reign supreme in the box lacrosse game.
Albany FireWolves head coach Glenn Clark guided Team Canada to a sixth straight gold medal in the World Lacrosse Box Championship, taking down the United States, 13-7, Sunday at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica.
"They've (Canada players) got skill sets; they're very adaptable; their uptake on information is world-class, and that's why they are what they are," said Clark on the ESPN2 broadcast. "It's an easier coaching job to bring this group together than most groups."
After Canada got out to a 3-0 lead, the U.S. finally got on the board with 1:03 to play in the opening quarter on a transition bounce shot from former UAlbany standout Joe Resetarits.
The U.S. battled from there, holding Canada to just one goal for the remainder of the half, while Mac O'Keefe and ex-Great Dane Blaze Riorden both found the back of the net in the second quarter. By halftime, Canada's lead had been whittled to one at 4-3.
But Clark's bunch came out roaring in the second half. Wesley Berg scored just 32 seconds into the third quarter. That was the start of a 6-0 run that spanned over nine minutes. The U.S. outscored Canada 4-3 over the remaining 21 minutes of the contest, but was unable to overcome the hole it dug itself in during that third-quarter scoring run from the Canadians.
It was a tremendously successful tournament overall, though, for the U.S., which reached the gold medal game for the first time in its history after upsetting the five-time defending runner-up, Team Haudenosaunee, in the semifinals.
"I love the fact that the gap is closing internationally," said Clark. "The score's not indicative of what [the U.S.] put us through, and how this game went. Congratulations to the U.S. They were a worthy opponent, and gave us all we could handle."
Of Canada's six championships, Clark has been at the helm now for the last two. He'll set his sights on the start of the National Lacrosse League season, which gets underway for the FireWolves on Nov. 30.
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