June 29, 2009
Washington, D.C. - Georgetown University Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Ricky Fried and Assistant Coach Michi Ellers both played crucial roles in Team USA's Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup Championship this past weekend in Prague, Czech Republic. The United States went undefeated in the tournament and beat the defending champions Australia twice, once in pool play and again in the championship game. Ellers played in all seven games on defense and Fried roamed the sidelines in his third season as an assistant coach.
Australia struck first, but the advantage went back and forth between the two teams, with three ties and two lead changes, ending with a 3-3 tie at the break.
Team USA came out swinging in the second half with five unanswered goals, creating the largest lead of the game. Australia gained momentum at 4:53 when U.S. goalie Devon Wills received a yellow card for a push on an Australian attacker to narrow the gap to 8-5. Australia rallied back with another goal to make it 8-6. With just under two minutes in the game, Heather Williams scored her second to create a one-goal game. U.S maintained possession for the next minute, running the clock down to preserve the win.
After a grueling two weeks of World Cup play, the U.S. won the gold, Australia the silver and Canada the bronze.
Ellers finished the tournament with a team-best 12 caused turnovers and ranking fifth on the squad in ground balls with 10. This was her third year on the national team and first World Cup experience.
Also competing in the tournament was GU junior Allie Hubschmann (Short Hills, N.J./Oak Knoll). The attacker joined the Czech Republic squad as FIL rules allows both transplants and descendants to play on their home country's team. Hubschmann led the team in scoring with 15 goals and 10 assists for 29 points. She also had five ground balls and six draw controls. The Czech Republic went 2-2 in pool play and finished ninth overall.
After two weeks in Prague, Ellers and Fried will return home to begin coaching at the Hoya Lacrosse Camp and preparing for the 2010 season.
