Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/9/18
From Press Release
Bryn Athyn College men’s lacrosse head coach Tucker Durkin (La Salle, Duke’s LC coach and alum) will be a part of Team USA in the 2018 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Men’s World Championship July 12-21 in Netanya, Israel after being one of 23 athletes named to the Team USA travel team Sunday.
“I could not be more excited to be part of Team USA and compete in the World Championships in July,” said Durkin, the 2009 Phillylacrpsse Player of the Year. “In my mind, there is no greater honor as an athlete than being asked to help represent your country, in any capacity. To be on the field with and alongside some of the best players and coaches in our game is a dream come true.
“I’ve been continually impressed with the coaches, players, and everyone involved with US Lacrosse throughout this process. Lacrosse aside, I am equally fortunate to be around and exposed to some of the greatest individuals that I know.”
Durkin is making his second appearance in the FIL Men’s World Championship. He was named to the All-World Team and the top overall defender at the 2014 World Championship in Denver. In seven games for Team USA, Durkin had 12 ground balls and four caused turnovers. Team USA finished as the silver medalist after an 8-5 loss to Canada in the gold-medal game.
The final team was selected after the Team USA Spring Premier at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. that was held on Saturday. Durkin—one of 48 players invited to participate in the Spring Premier—had one ground ball and one caused turnover for the victorious Blue Team in the final showcase before the final selection.
Before heading to Israel for the World Championship, Durkin and Team USA will have one final training weekend in June.
Durkin is going into his third season as the Lions’ head coach. In his first two seasons, Bryn Athyn has posted a 17-13 overall record, 11-6 against the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC). Bryn Athyn was 8-8 overall, 6-3 in conference play to reach the NEAC Tournament for the second straight season, had nine players earn a place on the All-NEAC team in 2017.