Team USA Defeats Syracuse All-Stars, 15-6, in Exhibition Game

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Central New York apparently heard the word that Casey, Michael and Ryan Powell were returning to their alma mater for an exhibition game as part of the 2006 U.S. Men’s National Team. Unfortunately for many in the overflow crowd of 3,500 at Coyne Field on the Syracuse University campus, a group of current area college stars also got the message and played their role in holding the area’s favorite sons to a lukewarm performance.

Kevin Cassese and Roy Colsey scored three goals each to help Team USA pull away from the Syracuse All-Stars, 15-6, before a throng that taxed the facility’s capacity and forced several hundred to stand on the hills and behind fences to get a glimpse of the squad that will represent the United States in the International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) World Championship July 13-22 in London, Canada.

It was the second of three exhibitions for the U.S. team, which will camp at Syracuse until Wednesday before matching up with Major League Lacrosse’s All-Stars Thursday in Boston. While the outcome may never have been in doubt, the pesky group of current collegians provided a game effort.

“The big things were turnovers and things we could’ve taken control of,” said Team USA coach John Desko. “But when you put that many talented players on the field, they want to make things happen. We don’t want to take the creativity out, yet we want to make sure we make good decisions on the field and get rid of some of the turnovers.”

The U.S. committed 16 turnovers, but eventually wore down Syracuse after jumping out to a 3-1 lead. Ryan Powell fed his brother, Michael, during the run, and it would prove to be the only goal by a Powell on the day. Ryan and Casey Powell did make up for it by recording three assists each.

“When you play in front of so many familiar faces and family, and a great Syracuse crowd, you hope to throw the ball around a little bit better than we did,” said Ryan Powell. “We certainly had better nights out in the backyard than what we showed tonight.”

Cassese and Colsey each scored twice during what essentially was a clinching 5-0 run that encompassed the end of the first period and the start of the second. It extended a 3-2 margin to an 8-2 advantage.

Current Syracuse player Kenny Nims scored twice to help bring the All-Stars to within 9-5 in the third period, but another 5-0 U.S. run, keyed by two Scott Urick goals, sealed the win.

Current Cornell goalie Matt McMonagle went the distance for the All-Stars and counted several acrobatic stops among his 16 saves. Chris Garrity (six saves) and Trevor Tierney (eight) split time for team USA.

A box score is available HERE.

Notes: Americans Chrisitan Cook and Doug Shanahan did not dress.
Team USA alternates Paul Cantabene and Matt Danowski dressed and played. Cantabene won 8 of 11 faceoffs.
Jay Jalbert of Team USA saw his first game action since a concussion forced him out of the May 14 National Lacrosse League championship game. “Trying to play 80 percent is always difficult,” he said. “When I step on the field, I think about one thing, and that’s playing hard. It’s good to get out there and get the legs
under you.”