HEWLETT, NEW YORK — The Israel men’s national team opened their nine-game April exhibition schedule with a pair of setbacks in New York this weekend.
The blue-and-white opened with a 13-12 overtime loss to New York Athletic Club at Randall’s Island. Israel jumped out to a 5-0 lead and held an advantage for all but the final two minutes.
Adam Fishman led Israel with three goals and one assist, while Zachary Pall and Ari Sussman each chipped in two goals. Dan Applebaum, Isaac Bock, Ben Smith and Scott Weiner chipped in singles. Max Adler, Dan Leventhal, Josh Offit and Jason Sands each added an assist.
Blair Friedensohn (20:00, 1 save, 2 GA), Brett Herbst (20:00, 1 save, 4 GA), Nick Martin (20:00, 4 saves, 3 GA) and Matt Mason (20:52, 5 saves, 4 GA) all saw action in goal; Mason was dealt the loss.
On Sunday, the Israelis renewed their tradition of taking on the MLL’s New York Lizards. The pro squad outmatched the blue-and-white, 23-6, at Hewlett High School.
Kyle Bergman, Fishman, Pall, Max Seibald, Sands and Nick Steinfeld each scored, while Offit added an assist. Herbst (27:00, 7 saves, 11 GA), Martin (27:00, 6 saves, 7 GA) and Mason (26:00, 5 saves, 5 GA) split time in goal with Herbst dealt the loss.
Joe Walters and Mike Bocklet led the Lizards with four goals apiece, while Paul Rabil and Joe LoCascio each added three.
Israel is back in action on Wednesday at 10am in Kiryat Gat, in the first of five games against the England men’s national team. It is the first home international for the Israelis since they hosted Turkey in 2013.
The 2018 FIL World Lacrosse Championships will be held in Netanya, Israel, from July 12-21.
Caps (x2): Max Adler, Dan Applebaum, Charlie Better, David Better, Isaac Bock, Adam Fishman, Brent Herbst, Andrew Kruter, Dan Leventhal, Seth Mahler, Nick Martin, Matt Mason, Josh Offit, Zachary Pall, Matt Popeck, Charlie Ross, Adam Sands, Jason Sands, Ben Smith, Nick Steinfeld, Cody Swing, Ari Sussman, Scott Weiner
Caps (x1): Kyle Bergman, Blair Friedensohn, Max Seibald
Israel Men’s National Team Spring Tour
Sat, Apr 7 – New York Athletic Club 13, Israel 12 (OT)
Sun, Apr 8 – New York Lizards 23, Israel 6
Wed, Apr 11 at 10:00 AM – Israel vs England – (Kiryat Gat Municipal Stadium – Kiryat Gat, Israel)
Thu, Apr 12 at 8:00 PM – Israel vs England – (Kraft Family Sports Complex – Jerusalem, Israel)
Fri, Apr 13 at 10:00 AM – Israel vs England – (Ashkelon Municipal Stadium – Ashkelon, Israel)
Sat, Apr 14 at 8:00 PM – Israel vs England – (Herzliya Synthetics – Herzliya, Israel)
Sun, Apr 15 at 10:00 AM – Israel vs England – (Shapira Field – Netanya, Israel)
Sat, Apr 21 at 8:00 PM – Israel vs Germany – (Sportpark Ostra – Dresden, Germany)
Sun, Apr 22 at 11:00 AM – Israel vs Germany – (Sportpark Ostra – Dresden, Germany)
*Schedule is subject to change