ONONDAGA NATION, HAUDENOSAUNEE TERRITORIES — Israel forward Matthew Cherry has been honored by the Federation of International Lacrosse with the Spirit of Lacrosse Award, for his dedication, leadership, and outstanding contributions to the development of the sport in Israel.
Cherry, who was second in scoring for the blue-and-white at the 2014 FIL World Field Lacrosse Championships in Denver, relocated to Israel in summer of 2013 to spearhead the Association’s youth development efforts in Ashkelon. Following a year of grassroots recruiting and coaching, he enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces, and is currently serving in the West Bank.
While some of his teammates (and fellow soldiers) were granted leave to participate in the 2015 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championships, Cherry was unable to take time off from his military commitments to join the team at Onondaga Nation.
Accepting the award on Cherry’s behalf in Syracuse were his roommates and teammates Noah Miller and Jacob Silberlicht.
Israel forward Chad Culp and defenseman Adam Crystal were also honored at the ceremony for being named to the WILC Presidents Team, which recognizes the top six players in the world who are not competing in the Premier “Blue Division”. (Israel will be a “Blue” team in 2019).
Culp and goaltender Zachary Higgins were named to the LaxAllStars.com All-WILC team.
Culp, Higgins, and midfielder Bryan Hopper were tabbed to the ILIndoor.com WILC All-Star Team.