The U.S. U20 lacrosse team is gearing up for the world championship with a roster that highlights the unique talents and versatility of its players on offense and defense.
Offensive coordinator Connor Buczek, a championship-winning head coach at Cornell, has emphasized the importance of player versatility in his strategy.
“As we look at these guys, we’re looking for their ability to do multiple things, playing different roles to help the team,” Buczek explained.
His vision includes players who can effectively occupy various positions on the field, creating matchup challenges for the opposition.
Among these standout players is Owen Duffy, the most seasoned member of the offensive unit.
Duffy, a starting attackman for North Carolina, boasts an impressive 72 goals and 61 assists over 30 career games, averaging 4.43 points per game.
Buczek described Duffy as someone who significantly impacts the offense, stating, “He’s a guy that can play several spots on the offense.”
Tim Shannehan and Jack Speidell are also expected to play pivotal roles in the team’s attack.
Shannehan had a remarkable freshman year at Boston University, leading the nation in scoring among first-year players with a total of 61 points, which includes 32 goals and 29 assists.
Buczek praises Shannehan’s ability to foresee the flow of the game, calling him a quarterback who carefully dictates the tempo.
Jack Speidell had an explosive season at Harvard, scoring 48 goals as a sophomore.
Both players earned honorable mention All-American status from USA Lacrosse, underscoring their contributions to the team.
In the midfield, Colin Kurdyla, Anthony Raio, and Jack Schultz bring their individual strengths to the squad.
Kurdyla’s performance at Rutgers earned him a second-team All-Big Ten selection, leading his team with 27 goals and totaling 40 points.
His experience playing both attack and midfield allows for strategic flexibility within the team’s offensive game plan.
Raio, coming off a stellar senior season at Half Hollow Hills (N.Y.), was awarded the title of USA Lacrosse High School Boys’ National Player of the Year.
He achieved 99 goals and 77 assists while helping his team secure an undefeated state championship title, along with setting a Long Island career goals record of 283.
Nadelen, a member of the coaching staff, noted Raio’s significant improvement and growth, particularly in recognizing the right moments to be aggressive on the field.
Jack Schultz, a Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection, adds depth, having played both attack and midfield at Maryland.
He contributed to the national championship game with a goal and totaled 14 points in his inaugural season.
Rounding out the offensive roster are Rhett Chambers, Brendan Millon, and Rowyn Nurry.
Chambers provides another left-handed option on attack, having started as a sophomore at Providence and finishing with 18 goals and eight assists across 14 games.
Millon is recognized as an X-factor, coming from a strong lacrosse lineage with both parents being former U.S. senior team stars.
His impressive skills were showcased during his high school career at McDonogh (Md.), where he averaged nearly six points per game in spite of injury challenges.
Nurry, fresh off a post-graduate year at Loomis Chaffee (Conn.), is also anticipated to make an impact on the offensive side.
Transitioning to the defensive strategy, the U.S. team boasts a roster of disciplined defenders under the guidance of assistant coach Ryan McClay.
Nadelen’s background as a defensive coordinator is mirrored in the unselfish and team-oriented nature of the chosen defenders.
“We are team defense first,” McClay affirmed, emphasizing the importance of communication and anticipation in defensive play.
The defensive unit is anchored by Kyle Foster, Quintan Kilrain, and Shawn Lyght.
Foster has shown remarkable development this past year, gaining valuable experience alongside All-American defensemen at Ohio State.
Standing at 6-foot-4, he effectively controls the field and minimizes options for opponents.
Kilrain made a smooth transition from long-stick midfielder to a close defenseman at Johns Hopkins.
His leadership, both vocally and in terms of hustle, makes him an indispensable asset on the field.
Lyght, a two-time All-American at Notre Dame, has established himself as a key player, credited with being one of the top defensive talents in college lacrosse.
At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Lyght combines size with agility, showcasing impressive stickwork that is rare among defenders of his stature.
Michael Marshall rounds out the group, a former New Jersey high school defensive player of the year with an elite work ethic, demonstrating versatility as he can play multiple defensive roles.
Robby Hopper, initially not vying for a roster spot, emerged as a strong candidate last summer, proving himself to be a significant playmaker while showcasing incredible athleticism.
Coach McClay applauded Hopper’s performance and potential, mentioning his impressive statistics from his senior year, which included 11 goals, 71 ground balls, and 33 caused turnovers.
The coaching staff decided to include four short-stick defensive midfielders, recognizing the need for depth in this physically demanding and often targeted position.
Kyle Bergen, Will Erdmann, Thomas Gravino, and Charlie Packard have shown the qualities necessary to fulfill these roles.
Gravino and Packard also have the versatility to contribute offensively, adding another layer of strategy to the team’s gameplay.
Communication among the short sticks has proven effective, often leading discussions on adjustments needed during games.
This level of maturity and confidence among the players is crucial for the cohesive functioning of the defense.
In goal, the U.S. team is secured by Patrick Jameison and Anderson Moore, both recognized as standout performances by Hall of Fame goalie Brian Dougherty during the tryouts.
Jameison has made history as the first true freshman to start for Duke in over a decade, ranking second in the ACC in save percentage.
His sophomore year continued to impress with a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 9.73 and a 53.6% save rate, earning him honorable mention All-American accolades.
Anderson Moore is noted for being the first player from Alabama to compete for the United States in a world championship.
He was awarded Big East Freshman of the Year and became a USILA honorable mention All-American, leading Georgetown to back-to-back NCAA quarterfinal appearances.
Moore boasts competitive statistics of 9.01 GAA and a 53.4% save rate as well.
McClay praised both goalies, stating they not only make the standard saves expected of them but also manage to pull off incredible stops that elevate team performance.
With a well-rounded roster composed of skilled and versatile players on both ends of the field, the U.S. U20 lacrosse team is positioned to compete fiercely at the world championship, reflecting the talent and coaching expertise shaping its preparation.
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