VANCOUVER, CANADA — Israel got off to a hot start and held off Ireland in the second half to prevail in the consolation semifinals at the 2016 U-19 World Lacrosse Championships at Town Centre Park on Thursday.
The blue-and-white jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first quarter before the Irish got on the scoreboard at 21:44. Israel led 7-5 at the half.
Ireland battled back in the second half, cutting the deficit to one goal on numerous occassions. The Irish battled for the full 80 gut-wrenching minutes, with Israel digging deep to hang on for the win.
Joshua Bernstein (five goals, one assist) led the Israelis offensively, while Nick Schulkin (three goals, three assists), Alon Berkowitz (two goals), Noah Knopf (one goal, one assist) and Ilan Hascal (one goal) chipped in.
David Metzger (78:11, 13 saves, 9 GA) earned the win in goal.
Tom Lyons and Conor Austin led Ireland with three goals apiece.
The win punches a ticket into the 5th-place match, where Israel will meet England this weekend. The Israelis can guarantee a promotion to the Premier Blue Division with a victory over the European powerhouse.
Gametime/date for the 5th place match is TBD and is expected to be finalized shortly.
Additional caps – Rakan Aboneaaj, Alon Bechor, Ron Bentura, Yanai Bittmann, Yotam Drori, Hayden Edelson, Liron Glam, Sagi Hashai, Adam Hilelly, Jonah Hirshorn, Zachary Ornstein, Bar Yahalom
Israel U-19 Men’s Training Schedule
Fri, Jun 3 – Birthright/USA Stars 7, Israel 5 (Park Ofer – Ramla, Israel)
Sun, Jun 19 – Birthright/USA Stars 6, Israel 1 (Shapira Field – Netanya, Israel)
Sun, Jul 3 – Building Blocks 10, Israel 3 (Newark Academy – Livingston, NJ)
Mon, Jul 4 – Israel 9, Fair Lawn Cutters 8 (Tenafly Municipal Field – Tenafly, NJ)
Wed, Jul 6 – Ireland 13, Israel 5 (Town Centre Park – Vancouver, Canada)
Israel U-19 Men’s World Championship Schedule
Fri, Jul 8 – Israel 10, Hong Kong 3 (Percy Perry Stadium – Vancouver, Canada)
Sun, Jul 10 – Israel 17, Taiwan 3 (Percy Perry Stadium – Vancouver, Canada)
Mon, Jul 11 – Israel 12, Germany 7 (Percy Perry Stadium – Vancouver, Canada)
Tue, Jul 12 – Israel 13, Mexico 2 (Percy Perry Stadium – Vancouver, Canada)
Wed, Jul 13 – Australia 21, Israel 9 (Quarterfinals; Percy Perry Stadium – Vancouver, Canada)
Thu, Jul 14 – Israel 12, Ireland 10 (Consolation Semifinal; Town Centre Park – Vancouver, Canada)
Date/Time TBD – Israel vs. England (5th Place Match; Percy Perry Stadium – Vancouver, Canada)