July 8, 2008
Washington, D.C. - Georgetown University men's lacrosse player Bobby Boyle (Atlantic Highlands, N.J./ Lawrenceville) said that representing his country is something every kid thinks about when growing up. When you watch the Olympics or the Mighty Ducks, you can't help but think of what it would be like. The Mighty Ducks? Yes, the Ducks, who were led by coach Gordon Bombay to the Junior Goodwill Games in the second edition of the movie.
Boyle and Hoya teammate Craig Dowd (East Northport, N.Y./Northport) have tasted the experience of representing the United States during the last month as part of the United States National Team that is competing in the International Lacrosse Federation Under-19 World Championships.
"It's been a great experience," Boyle said over the phone from Coquitlam, British Columbia in Canada. "We're coming out with a great bunch of guys and getting to play with some talented players on the national team representing our country. It's every kid's dream to play for their country. If you're watching the Olympics or the Mighty Ducks, you want to play for Team USA."
The Georgetown players have been major factors in Team USA posting a perfect 5-0 mark during pool play in the Blue Division. The U.S. team wrapped up pool play on Monday with a 24-4 win over England as Dowd scored two goals and had one assist. The five wins in pool play gave Team USA a perfect 34-0 all-time record in international competition.
Up next for the United States will be a matchup on Thursday, July 10 against the winner of a game between Germany (5-0 in the Red Division) and England (2-3 in the Blue Division). Should the Americans win that game, they will advance to the U-19 World Championship on Saturday, July 12, where they would face either Canada, Scotland or the Iroquois Nationals.
Dowd has led Team USA in scoring with 17 goals, which ranks third among all players in the Blue Division and is fourth-best among all players in the tournament. His best performance to date came on July 6 when he scored five goals - including the tying goal in the fourth quarter - as Team USA raced back from a seven-goal deficit and posted a 16-15 win over Canada in overtime. Boyle has been a key contributor on the defensive side, starting several games.
More than anything else, the chance to wear the jersey of their country and to hear their national anthem while their family watches them has been one of the biggest highlights.
"It's been awesome, just a great experience," Dowd said on Tuesday, one of two days off before the semifinals. "You get chills through your spine when you're out on the field and you hear the National Anthem. You never really thought you'd be there."
And while many kids dream about what it would be like to represent their country, the realism of that dream can be few and far between, especially in a sport like lacrosse where the national team opportunities are relatively new. "I never really thought about doing this," Dowd said. "Sure, representing your country is something you always think about growing up, but to get the chance to have that come true is pretty cool."
Boyle said the images of each team singing their national anthem during the 2008 European Soccer Championships made hearing the "Star Spangled Banner" more special. "Everyone lines up and little flag-bearing kids come out and that just adds to the experience," Boyle said. "When you look up in the stands and see your parents, it really makes you proud."
During the course of the U-19 World Championships, members of the United States team have also been able to draw parallels with athletes competing in the Olympic Trials in swimming and track & field. "I feel like we were expected to be here (in the semifinals)," Boyle said. "We're proud of ourselves and what we've done, but the ultimate goal is to win the gold. It gives you some extra added motivation when you turn on the tv and you see the same thing."
The United States team is made up of 23 players, 21 of whom are playing at the Division I level. Boyle and Dowd are one of at least seven pairs of college teammates playing together again, making the transition much easier.
"I've played with a lot of the guys on the team and we're all pretty close," Dowd said. "Having Bobby here has been great, just to have someone you're familiar with, and someone you can lean on."
Boyle knew first-hand after playing with Dowd at Georgetown during the 2008 season what a great teammate he was and was the least bit surprised when the latter was selected as the team's captain. "I voted for Craig too, but he's a great friend of mine and a great leader," Boyle said. "Everyone really looks to him to lead us and he's done that in this tournament."
Playing for the United States, Boyle and Dowd have also understood the pressure associated with representing the country in a sport it has traditionally dominated. "While there is pressure, it's not fear," Boyle said. "At the same time, we don't want to screw it up. We want to win and it would suck to be the team that loses. You can't think that way when you're playing."
Both players were also aware that the U.S. National Team lost to Canada in the World Championships in 2006, ending a streak of six-straight world titles for the Americans. "As a team," Dowd said, "we have one goal in mind and that's to win a gold medal. We'll do whatever it takes to win that medal."
While the United States has dominated the competition during pool play - they won five-straight games and out-scored opponents 108-41 - the players see how the sport has grown, with teams representing England, Scotland, Australia, Germany, even Japan, participating in the tournament.
"There's definitely a difference in talent level, but you can that it's narrowing," Dowd said. "The talent level is definitely spreading out. England (who the US beat, 24-4) looks like they've improved and some of the other teams are very capable."
The experiences both players have had are ones that hope to carry over to next season, when the Hoyas will look to win the ECAC Championship and contend for the NCAA title.
"I'm in great game shape and I plan on keeping that through the rest of the summer," Boyle said. "This is as intense as it gets and it's an attitude I think can carry over."
"It's something that I can share with my teammates," Dowd said. "Anytime you're playing lacrosse and representing your country, it's the experience of a lifetime."
