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US Lacrosse Announces Final 23-Man Roster for WILC 2015
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US Lacrosse Announces Final 23-Man Roster for WILC 2015

Last weekend, in Simbury, CT, 30 Team USA hopefuls congregated for a weekend of grueling box lacrosse workouts to whittle down the list to a final 23-man roster, and prepare, for the WILC 2015!

Two names that are featured on the list below should be no surprise to anyone, but it’s worth noting they were left off of the original list of 31. Casey Powell and Garrett Thul both found their names among the final cut although they didn’t attend the training camps session, and weren’t named to the 31-man roster.

Of course, there couldn’t be a better guy to fit the roster than Garrett Thul. Although this will be his first time with Team USA for box, he competed in Denver with the 2014 field team and should be well known for his service as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. He also just finished up Ranger School, so it’s been a good Summer! This guy IS Team USA. Did I forget to mention he was on the 2014 NLL All-Rookie Team? I did? Well, now you know he’s good at box too!

Casey Powell is, and isn’t, a surprise to see on the list. It was more surprising to see him left of the 31-Man list, but it seemed to make sense considering the Casey Powell World Lacrosse Foundation has their marquee Beach Lacrosse Festival (which Powell will be an integral part of) scheduled for the opening weekend of WILC play. Will Casey be recognized as the leader of this squad if he misses the opening games or will he be the living-legend version of a ringer brought in to win a medal? Or will something else entirely take place? Definitely something to watch.

If Powell is at his event, he will likely be missing the opening game on Friday versus the Iroquois Nationals, and potentially Sunday’s game against the Czech Republic as well. These are two of only four group play games for the US, so I hope a team of 22 can figure it out for opening weekend!

There weren’t any big names cut from the list, although arguments could be made for some of the guys who got cut. In the end, only guys a couple guys with no real NLL experience fell by the wayside. The Americans should be excited to hit the floor in Syracuse next month with such a solid core of individuals.

Another highly notable name on the list is Blaze Riorden, current goalie for the Albany Great Danes of the NCAA. Blaze will be suiting up as a forward for Team USA. He’s the only college kid on the list, but is by no means lacking box experience as he just led the Akwesasne Indians to the 2015 Founders Cup!

Goaltending is likely to be the biggest weakness for the US, but with the monsters on defense clogging the lanes, I think they’ll manage just fine. Plus, Jake Henhawk has plenty of experience in FIL events. It’s cool to see guys like Drew Snider make the list. Although he has no box experience, Drew just made the All-MLL this past summer and is business partners with American box lacrosse staple Chris O’Dougherty, leading me to believe a few 1-on-1 sessions with OD along with his athleticism and accuracy is going to be huge for the offense.

US Lacrosse 23-Man Roster

Forwards

No. Name Team(s)
27 Kevin Buchanan * New England Black Wolves
10 Marcus Holman Georgia Swarm
22 Casey Powell * Colorado Mammoth (2014)
90 Jeff Ratcliffe  New York Titans (2008)
7 Joe Resetarits Rochester Knighthawks
25 Blaze Riorden University at Albany (NCAA)
23 Drew Snider
9 Garrett Thul Philadelphia Wings (2014)
1 Joe Walters Rochester Knighthawks
14 Drew Westervelt * Colorado Mammoth

Transition/Defense

8 Greg Downing * Colorado Mammoth
6 CJ Costabile Philadelphia Wings (2014)
20 Ryan Hotaling New England Black Wolves
13 Brett Manney New England Black Wolves
84 Brian Megill New England Black Wolves
80 Donny Moss
4 Chris O’Dougherty Vancouver Stealth
21 Jeff Reynolds Philadelphia Wings (2013)
18 Joe Smith *  Philadelphia Wings (2012)
11 Joel White Georgia Swarm

Goalies

37 Chris Collins New England Black Wolves (Coach)
33 Jake Henhawk *^
65 David Mather

* 2011 U.S. indoor team
^ 2007 U.S. indoor team

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Team USA kicks off their WILC 2015 run on Friday, September 18th at 8:30 pm ET against the Iroquois Nationals at the War Memorial Arena in Syracuse. Tickets are still available for theses Opening Games!

Training camp weekend in Simsbury was topped of with a scrimmage versus the Sr. B Vermont Voyageurs. While in Connecticut, Connor caught up with Team USA Head Coach, Tony Resch about how things are looking for next month’s WILC!

Who are you stoked to see hit the floor wearing the Red, White & Blue next month? Sound off in the comments below!