1978 World Lacrosse Championship

The 1978 FIL World Lacrosse Championship was the third edition of the premier international men's lacrosse tournament. The event took place at Edgeley Park in Stockport, England under the auspices of the International Lacrosse Federation.[1] Four teams competed in the tournament.

Overview

In the finals, in what the international lacrosse community dubbed "In what must be ranked as one of the most surprising comebacks since Lazarus strode from the crypt", team Canada captured the 1978 World Championship with a 17-16 double overtime victory over the U.S. team.

The underdog label was pasted on the Canadian team, due to their mostly box lacrosse experience, following a Day Two Americans annihilation of the Canadians, 28-4.

However, two individuals with previous field experience who would prove to be vital factors in the longshot victory. Hall of Famers Stan Cockerton from North Carolina State and Mike French from Cornell had great tournaments.

The Americans, drew players from the extensive field lacrosse programs at universities in the Eastern States.

In the first game of the 1978 tournament, Cockerton whipped in seven goals with French adding three more plus seven helpers to move past the host English squad 21-15. The U.S. took Australia 22-17.

On Day Two, the Americans annihilated Canada 28-4. U.S. scored the first 14 goals even before French put Canada on the board; but the rout on the rain-drenched field continued - 17-2 at halftime and 22-3 after three periods. Meanwhile, Australia downed England 16-10.

Down 4-3 early in Game Three against Australia, Canada whipped in six straight on the road to a 16-13 victory that set up a rematch with the Americans, who had narrowly squeaked past England 12-11.

The Americans opened the finals intent on repeating their earlier conquest of Canada with Cornell great Bill Marino rifling home a short just 15 seconds after the opening faceoff. But Team Canada stunned the Americans with six unanswered goals to take an 8-4 lead after one period. The U.S. rallied to tie the contest and then moved ahead only to see Cockerton knot up the contest 16-16 with seconds remaining.

With the entire crowd of 3,500-plus chanting for the Canadians, both teams went through a scoreless overtime session and all but 20 seconds of a second extra period. That's when Cockerton scooped in the winner, his sixth goal of the game, that gave Canada a 17-16 victory.

Stan Cockerton led the tourney in scoring with 18 goals and nine assists in the four games, Mike French, with six and 15, was named the "Best and Fairest Player" and Bob Flintoff the "Best Goalkeeper". [2] Australia beat the Iroquois team 17–5 for third place.

Teams

The 1978 Team Canada Roster:

Goal: Bob Flintoff and Tim Barrie
Defense: Sandy Lynch, Carm Collins, Tom Briscoe, Brian Jones, Jim Branton and Murray Cawker
Midfield: Mike French, Fred Greenwood, Pat Differ, John Mouradian, Jim Calder, Ted Greves, Dave Huntley, Dan Wilson and Steve Mastine
Attack: Stan Cockerton, Dave Durante, Doug Hayes, Jim Wasson, Bob Burke and John Grant
Coaches: Bob Allan, Don Barrie and John McCauley
Manager: Ron Wicks

The 1978 Team USA Roster:

Goal: Dan Mackesey
Defense: Dom Starsia, Dennis Townsend
Midfield: Skip Lichtfuss, Doug Radebaugh, Bob Hendrickson, Bruce Arena
Attack: Eamon McEneaney, Bob Griebe, Jeff Long
Coaches: Richie Moran
Manager: Jerry Schmidt,

Roster

No. Name Pos. College 3 Rick Blick G Hobart 7 G Cornell 10 Dave Devine D Cornell 11 Chris Kane D Cornell 12 Tom Keigler D Washington & Lee 14 D Brown 15 D Johns Hopkins 16 Mike Waldvogel* D Cortland 20 * M Cornell 21 Jim Darcangelo M Towson 22 M Cornell 23 Craig Jaeger M Cornell 25 M Washington & Lee 26 Billy Marino M Cornell 27 Phil Marino M Hofstra 28 Dave McNaney M Hobart 29 M Maryland 41 A Towson 42 A Navy 43 A Cornell 44 Tom Postel* A C.W. Post 45 Dave Warfield A Washington & Lee

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Richie Moran Assistant Coaches: Gene Fusting

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Lacrosse World Championships 98 - ActivityWorkshop.net". Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  2. ↑ "World Men's Lacrosse Championships - LAXbuzz.com". Archived from the original on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2010.

External links

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