In the championship game of the 2016 Men’s U19 World Championship held in British Columbia, Ryan Conrad, with the help of a pass from Simon Mathias, managed to bury a shot in the final eight seconds of the fourth quarter. This brought Team USA to victory with a final score of 13-12. This world championship is the eighth consecutive for Team USA. Sweetlax Alumni, Goalie Willie Klan (Penfield, NY) was a key factor in the championship.

Canada took an early lead, scoring the first six goals and ending the half with a score of 8 to 2. At the end of the third quarter, Canada maintained a three-goal lead. There was just over seven minutes of play left, with Team USA trailing 12-9, and after a series of goals, Team USA managed to tie the score with 2:34 remaining. U.S. goalie Willie Klan overcame a slow first half and made seven saves in the second half, including an impressive five in the fourth quarter.

Team USA took the lead with eight seconds left, to make the final 13-12 after Canada won the face-off, but missed the pass, resulting in a turnover that would leave Team USA victorious.

Klan, a first-time Team USA goalie, described the experience as ‘humbling’, stating that it has always been a dream of his to play for, and leaving with a championship with Team USA was a top highlight of his lacrosse career.

“It was a great environment, and with over 6,000 people there, the energy was amazing. I’m really thankful that I had the opportunity to play with these guys, especially considering the way the final game ended. I’m so glad I could be a part of it, and if I did not receive the exposure that I did from Sweetlax, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am in my lacrosse career today.”

Team USA trained for the weeks prior to the Championship games by top Coaches, trainers and nutritionists in the Country to prepare the players for the World Games. The training was a great experience for Klan and he has brought some of that home as he continues to help Coach for Sweetlax Upstate for the remainder of the Summer.