Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/23/13
From Staff Report and Press Release
A large group of Philly women helped Israel place eighth in the recent Federation of International World Championships in Oshawa, Canada.
Team Israel featured Sam Ellis (Radnor, Princeton), Sara Greenberg (Baldwin, Yale), Amanda Schwab (Harriton, Stanford), Nikki Avershal (Lower Merion, Pitt), Lauren Dykstra (Lehigh) and Katie Mazer (Penn).
Israel also featured Associate Head Coach Bonnie Rosen (Harriton, Head Coach at Temple and US Lacrosse Hall of Famer).
Israel (5-4 record), competing in its first World Cup as the 19th seed, surprised many by advancing to the Elite Eight. Israel fell to eventual runner-up Canada, 17-5, in the quarterfinals and then Scotland, 9-7, in overtime on Friday in a consolation game before forfeiting its eighth-place game on Saturday vs. Haudenosaunee (6-3).
Israel had told World Cup officials it would not play on a Saturday in observance of Shabbat. Israeli officials had hoped the World Cup would make arrangements to move the game, but no changes were made.
“The Haudenosaunee Nation women’s lacrosse team respects Israel’s right to stand up for what they believe in and we wish them all the best with their program,” said Haudenosaunee Chair Kathy Smith. “We understand the importance of national identity and are respectful of the sacrifices the Israelis’ are willing to make to uphold what is important to them. We are optimistic we will have the opportunity to play against Israel in a friendly game in the near future.”
The teams met to exchange gifts before sundown on Friday evening, and several Haudenosaunee coaches and players attended a Shabbat service with the Israel women.
“We’re extremely grateful to the Haudenosaunee team and nation, the Federation of International Lacrosse, and the host committee in Oshawa for their respect and understanding of our decision to forfeit our final match,” said Israel Lacrosse Association executive director Scott Neiss. “While we were optimistic for a different result, our team and staff have been overwhelmed by the encouragement and affection we received this week from our supporters in Israel and the diaspora, especially the local Canadian Jewish community.
“We are so proud of our players who represented the State of Israel with pride, passion and purpose both on and off the field. We are encouraged we will have a healthy dialogue with the FIL regarding this issue ahead of the 2014 men’s world championship.”
The Israel and Haudenosaunee teams will be holding discussions to play an exhibition match this Fall.
Schedule / Results (number listed is current world ranking)
Tue, Jul 9 – Israel vs #13 Netherlands (scrimmage; W, 12-1)
Thu, Jul 11 – Israel vs #10 Germany (pool play; W, 15-6)
Fri, Jul 12 – Israel vs #8 Scotland (pool play; W, 13-6)
Sun, Jul 14 – Israel vs #16 South Korea (pool play; W, 19-2)
Mon, Jul 15 – Israel vs Hong Kong (crossover; W, 19-4)
Tue, Jul 16 – Israel vs. #7 Japan (crossover; L, 12-11 OT)
Wed, Jul 17 – Israel vs. #12 New Zealand (first round playoff; W, 12-9)
Thu, Jul 18 – Israel vs. #3 Canada (quarterfinals; L, 17-5)
Fri, Jul 19 – Israel vs. #8 Scotland (consolation bracket; L, 9-7 OT)
Sat, Jul 20 – Israel vs. #11 Haudenosaunee (7th place match; L, 1-0)
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