1998 World Lacrosse Championship Final
The 1998 World Lacrosse Championship final between Canada and the United States was the deciding match in the 1998 World Lacrosse Championship and has been often cited as the best field lacrosse match of all time.
Context
The USA had not lost an international lacrosse match since the 1978 final, their only ever loss in international competition. Hence although expected to be challenged somewhat by the Canadians, the US were widely expected to take the gold with relatively little trouble. Their round robin match had ended in a 14-12 US victory.[1]
Rosters
Canada
- Jamie Bowen
- Steve Fannell
- Gary Gait
- Paul Gait
- Eric Gervais
- Chris Gill
- Jeff Gombar
- Steve Govett
- John Grant, Jr.
- Del Halliday
- Fred Jenner
- Bryan Kopec
- Tom Marechek
- Randy Mearns
- Tom Phair
- Jeff Ratcliffe
- Darren Reisig
- Chris Sanderson
- Ted Sawicki
- Matt Shearer
- Dan Stroup
- Rodney Tapp
- John Tavares
- Steve Toll
- Jim Veltman
- Rob Williams
United States
Head Coach: Bill Tierney
Assistant Coaches: William Beroza, Jeff Long, Paul Wehrum
Goalkeeper
Attack
- Bill Miller
- Michael Watson
- Mark Millon
- Darren Lowe
- Jesse Hubbard
- Casey Powell
Midfield
- Kevin Finneran
- Andy Ross
- David Curry
- Rob Shek
- Greg Traynor
- Charlie Lochwood
- Peter Jacobs
- Blake Miller
- Tim Soudan
- Ryan Wade
Defense
- Brian Voelker
- Joe Breschi
- David Morrow
- Pat McCabe
- Zack Colburn
- Reid Jackson
- John DeTommaso
Game
Both teams went into the match confident. The USA had twenty years of victories over their neighbors from the north, while the Canadians had world class players in the Gait brothers and John Grant, Jr.
First Quarter
After USA goaltender Sal Locasio made an early save, Canada drew first blood but it ended up being their only goal of the entire half.
Third Quarter
By the middle of the 3rd quarter the United States was up 11–1.
Fourth Quarter
By the last few minutes of the fourth quarter the score was 13–10, with USA still in the lead. Then in the last minute and a half of regulation, Canada had three unanswered goals to tie the game and send it into overtime.
Double Overtime
The United States barely outscored Canada in double overtime, 2–1, with the final score being 15–14 in favor of the US.