Wednesday’s Tel Aviv Lacrosse Festival at Wolfson Fields represents the regular-season finale for all four teams in the IPLL, and, with the final standings not yet set in stone, expect the intense action to continue as we head into the playoffs.
What we do know, is that Haifa LC will be first or second in the standings, and Tel Aviv LC will be third or fourth. Wednesday’s matches could very well be a preview of the first-round of the playoffs.
Haifa LC (4-1) can clinch the top seed in the standings when they faceoff against Tel Aviv LC (1-4) in the main event at 8:30 PM, while Ashkelon LC (2-3) needs to win by five goals or more to grab home-field advantage from Barak Netanya LC in the opener at 7:00 PM.
The games are the main events of a full-day festival featuring U-15 and U-19 boys teams from across the country.
Players to Watch
Ashkelon LC
Mitch Goldberg, Richmond – Goldberg is second in the league in both goals (14) and points (19). He was unstoppable on Sunday with a four goal, two assist performance against Tel Aviv.
Evan Kalish, Bellarmine – Kalish, a defender, has not been shy to contribute on the offensive side of the field. He had three goals on Sunday.
Barak Netanya LC
Austin Wolf, RIT – Wolf has led a defensive corps which has been standout all season, and held first-place Haifa to just five goals on Monday.
Andrew Copeland, Coquitlam – Primarily a box goalie, Copeland stepped in for Netanya and made 13 saves in his debut on Monday.
Haifa LC
Justin Diamond, Boston University – With a lack of depth, Haifa’s offense is primarily on Diamond’s shoulders. He’s answered the bell and leads the league in both goals (17) and points (21).
Ted Bergman, Wesleyan – Bergman has been standout all season and leads the league with 59 saves. His speed and ability to clear helps his team save their legs.
Tel Aviv LC
Jacob Silberlicht, Hobart – The Team Israel midfielder and active IDF soldier is expected to make a spot-start off the DPL list. He can make an instant impact for Tel Aviv.
Jon Rathauser, McGill – Tel Aviv will need a standout defensive performance to beat first-place Haifa on their home field. Rathauser needs to lead the charge.
Predictions:
Ashkelon will continue their winning ways, but it won’t enough to snag home-field from Netanya. An invigorated Tel Aviv squad will surprise Haifa ahead of a playoff rematch.