NEW YORK, NEW YORK — The Israel men’s national lacrosse team wrapped up their Northeast US tour this weekend with games in Westchester, Long Island, and New York City, completing their tour against some of the world’s top-ranked international, college and club teams with a respectable 4-7 record.
The tour was utilized to evaluate athletes in Israel’s player pool, develop some of the blue-and-white’s future star players, and promote the 2018 FIL World Lacrosse Championships (www.worldlacrosse2018.com) which will be held in Israel next July.
Israel’s New York slate opened on Thursday night at Adelphi University, in which the college team gutted out a 14-12 win. Ryan Hunter led the way for the Israelis with five goals and one assist, while Daniel Leventhal chipped in three goals. Isaac Bock (two goals) and Jacob Silberlicht (one goal, two assists) also had big evenings. Charlie Ross added one goal, with Seth Mahler and Alex Rabin chipping in one assist apiece. David Metzger (30:00, 2 saves, 9 GA) and Eric Schneider (30:00, 2 saves, 5 GA) split time in goal; Schneider was dealt the loss.
On Saturday night, Lafayette College dominated the second half to earn a comeback win over the Israelis, 14-9, under the lights at Randalls Island. The Israelis led 5-2 and 7-3 before Lafayette rallied to take command of the game. Josh Offit (three goals) and Jason Sands (three assists) led the way for Israel, with Leventhal (two goals), Kyle Bergman (one goal, one assist) and Kalman Kraham (one goal) also scoring. Max Kaufman and Silberlicht each chipped in one assist. Eric Schneider (20:00, 1 save, 3 GA), David Metzger (40:00, 9 saves, 8 GA) and Jake Reiner (20:00, 1 save, 4 GA) saw action in goal; Metzger was dealt the loss.
The blue-and-white wrapped up their tour on Sunday with a doubleheader at New York Athletic Club’s sprawling Pelham Island facility. Israel opened with a 7-4 win over Duke-Tobay LC; Leventhal, Silberlicht and Elon Tuckman scored two goals apiece, with Chris Friedman popping in a single. Bergman, Matt Flapan, Ross and Marc Skolnick chipped in one assist apiece. Reiner (25:00, 5 saves, 2 GA) and Schneider (25:00, 8 saves, 2 GA) split time in goal; Schneider was credited the win. NYAC followed Duke-Tobay, scoring early and often to secure a 13-4 win over the Israelis; Tuckman led Israel with two goals, with Eric Fischer adding one goal and one assist. Leventhal scored once, while Bergman, Kaufman and Skolnick each chipped in an assist. Schneider (50:00, 9 saves, 13 GA) was dealt the loss in goal.
Israel will be announcing their team for the 2018 FIL World Lacrosse Championships and their developmental/festival rosters in mid-November. The blue-and-white will begin training in Israel immediately, and will return to action in the Spring with friendlies tentatively scheduled for Boston, New York, Germany and Israel.
Caps (x4): Jonah Biblowitz, Matt Flapan, Chris Friedman, Max Kaufman, Daniel Leventhal, Seth Mahler, Matt Popeck, David Reiter, Charlie Ross, Eric Schneider, Jacob Silberlicht, Marc Skolnick
Caps (x3): Kyle Bergman, Andrew Kruter, Jacob Reiner
Caps (x2): Matt Hayes, Kalman Kraham, Cole McCormack, David Metzger, Adam Sands, Elon Tuckman
Caps (x1): Isaac Bock, Ryan Hunter, Josh Offit, Alex Rabin, Mitch Rothstein, Jason Sands, Teddy Seem
Israel Men’s National Team Fall Four
Sun, Oct 1 – Israel 12, Iroquois Nationals 6 – (Recap)
Sun, Oct 1 – University at Albany 11, Israel 4 – (Recap)
Sun, Oct 1 – Israel 13, Boston University 12 – (Recap)
Wed, Oct 4 – Yale University 18, Israel 8 – (Recap)
Sat, Oct 7 – Johns Hopkins University 12, Israel 6 – (Recap)
Sun, Oct 8 – United States 10, Israel 4 – (Recap)
Sun, Oct 8 – Israel 9, Towson University 6 – (Recap)
Thu, Oct 12 – Adelphi University 14, Israel 12
Sat, Oct 14 – Lafayette College 14, Israel 9
Sun, Oct 15 – Israel 7, Duke-Tobay Lacrosse Club 4
Sun, Oct 15 – New York Athletic Club 13, Israel 4