PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND — Israel finished strong to win the second annual International Lacrosse Showdown at Johnson & Wales University on Monday.
The blue-and-white wrapped up with a 5-1 record to share first place in the standings with Hungary and Jamaica, prevailing on tiebreakers to win the event. Philippines won the Showdown in 2016 in Philadelphia.
Greece, Philippines, Portugal and Puerto Rico also competed in the 2017 event, which featured a round-robin format.
Israel held Portugal scoreless for the last 19 minutes in the second half to turn a 4-3 advantage into a 10-3 opening night win over Portugal. Joshua Offit and Jacob Silberlicht scored two goals apiece, while Jacob Milner chipped in one goal and two assists. Alex Horowitz and Jacob Cotton each scored one goal and one assist; Jacob Donovan, Josiah Baker-Connick, Matthew Flapan and Kyle Bergman added singles. Aaron Levy (40:00, 5 saves, 3 GA) earned the win in goal.
Israel gutted out a 6-4 win over a fiesty Greece side on Friday; the game was tied 3-3 at halftime, before Israel opened the second half with a pair of quick goals. Offit led the charge with two goals, with Cotton, Flapan, Isaac Paparo and Silberlicht adding singles. Alex Horowitz (two assists) and Zachary Horowitz (one assist) also chipped in. Levy (40:00, 7 saves, 4 GA) earned the win in goal.
Jamaica rallied in the second half to edge Israel, 6-5, on Sunday. Israel led 4-3 at the half, but Jamaica scored two quick goals to open the second frame with a 5-4 advantage. Israel tied the game at 4:30, but Jamaica scored the game winner with just 95 seconds remaining and was able to stop a late score. Cotton led Israel with two goals and an assist, with Silberlicht adding one goal and one assist. Alex Horowitz and Flapan chipped in singles. Andrew Landsman (40:00, 4 saves, 6 GA) was dealt the loss in goal.
The blue-and-white bounced back with a big 8-2 win over Hungary. Israel led 5-0 at the half and cruised to the win. Nick Lipsher scored three goals in the win, with Offit adding a pair of scores. Silberlicht, Cotton and Colby Cohen added singles, while Joshua Rottman chipped in a single. Landsman (40:00, 5 saves, 2 GA) earned the win in goal.
Jeffrey Binstein (40:00, 8 saves, 3 GA) had a monster game in goal for the Israelis as they rallied past Puerto Rico, 6-3, on Monday morning. Bergman led Israel with two goals and one assist, while Offit and Milner chipped in one goal and one assist each. Cotton and Silberlicht added singles, with Flapan contributing an assist. Puerto Rico led 3-2 late in the first half, but Israel rallied with four straight goals to secure the win.
Israel wrapped up their weekend slate with a 4-2 win over Philippines. Lipsher, Cotton, Milner and Silberlicht had a goal apiece, with Offit and Alex Horowitz each chipping in an assist. Binstein (40:00, 3 saves, 2 GA) warned the win in goal.
Silberlicht scored twice and Offit once in the tiebreaker round against Hungary and Jamaica to secure the Cup.
Caps x6: Kyle Bergman, Colby Cohen, Jacob Cotton, Jacob Donovan, Matthew Flapan, Alex Horowitz, Zachary Horowitz, Andrew Kruter, Jacob Milner, Joshua Offit, Shiloh Shassian, Jacob Silberlicht
Caps x5: Ethan Coleman, Benjamin Herman
Caps x4: Jeffrey Binstein, Ari Hymowitz, Jacob Hymowitz, Nick Lipsher
Caps x2: Josiah Baker-Connick, Andrew Landsman, Aaron Levy, Isaac Paparo, Joshua Rottman, Alex Tress