BUFFALO, NEW YORK — Israel Lacrosse will be kicking off their 11-day 2018 IDC Herzliya Prospect Tour this evening with a game at UBuffalo.
The tour is being held to promote the upstart IDC Herzliya men’s lacrosse program, which hopes to join the MCLA’s Pioneer Collegiate Lacrosse League in spring of 2019, as well as raise funds and awareness for Israel Lacrosse’s youth development programs.
The Israeli team’s roster is comprised of future prospects for the upstart IDC Herzliya men’s program as well as Israel men’s national team players.
Netanya native Ori Bar David is someone who fits both those criteria. The 18-year-old midfielder, who appeared for the blue-and-white at July’s FIL Men’s World Lacrosse Championships in his hometown, is keen to play college lacrosse for IDC Herzliya when he finishes serving in the Israel Defense Forces at age 21.
“[IDC Herzliya] is a really strong University,” said Bar David. “I’m really happy that Israelis will have the opportunity to play lacrosse and also study at the highest level in Israel.”
The Pioneer Collegiate Lacrosse League (PCLL) consists of six Division I teams and 10 Division II teams, representing Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
The proposed IDC Herzliya program would be composed of entirely full-time students — both Israelis and American-born players — and would make several trips to the United States to play their MCLA schedule. The team would likely play home games in the New York area, which has an abundance of flights to Tel Aviv.
National team defender Chris Friedman, who played college lacrosse in the Pioneer League before graduating in 2014 and relocating to Israel, is coaching the IDC Herzliya squad. Friedman is excited for the team to take the field for these games as the program continues to take shape.
“This tour is a new beginning for Israel Lacrosse,” said Friedman. “The team will not only serve as an opportunity for Israelis who wish to continue to play lacrosse at a high level after the army, but it will also attract North Americans who want to continue to play lacrosse in college and are hungry for an international experience.”
IDC Herzliya Fall Prospect Tour
Wed, Oct 3 at 8:45 PM – IDC Herzliya vs UBuffalo – (Kunz Stadium – Buffalo, NY)
Fri, Oct 5 at 6:30 PM – IDC Herzliya vs St. Bonaventure – (Marra Athletics Complex – Allegany, NY)
Sat, Oct 6 at 2:00 PM – IDC Herzliya vs Northeastern – (Carter Fields – Boston, MA)
Sat, Oct 6 at 3:30 PM – IDC Herzliya vs University of Rhode Island – (Carter Fields – Boston, MA)
Sun, Oct 7 at 4:00 PM – IDC Herzliya vs UConn – (Depot Field – Storrs, CT)
Tue, Oct 9 at 9:00 PM – IDC Herzliya vs Colombia – (Robert K Kraft Field – New York, NY)
Sun, Oct 14 at Time TBD – IDC Herzliya vs George Washington
*Schedule is subject to change
Additional games are expected to be added to the tour against NYU and several other schools.
Check back at IsraelLacrosse.com for game recaps and more information.