World Games: Day 4
Ireland vs. Scotland
The big game- the Red Division championship. Undefeated Ireland against undefeated Scotland. For Scotland, there was also pride on the line, after losing 6-5 to Ireland the previous year in a contentious Celtic Cup match.
Ireland is a thoroughly retooled team since then, with Scotland being mostly the same, save for stud goalie Matt Russell. You might remember Matt Russell as the starting goalie for Navy in the 2004 national championship game until he separated his shoulder sometime in the 3rd quarter. (For the record, he didn't come out until the 4th quarter.)
Scotland struck first, followed by 4 straight Irish goals in the 1st quarter. The teams traded goals in the 2nd & 3rd quarters, but the advantage on number of shots was definitely in favor of Ireland. Matt Russell was making his impression felt, but the sheer number meant that some were inevitably finding their way in. Conditioning helped Ireland pull away in the 4th, and we were able to celebrate a 15-9 victory.
I only played a couple of shifts at long-stick midfield that day, with very little playing time after confusion on 2 straight man-down series. I tried to ask a simple question of the defensive coach who instead tried to launch into a long explanation of the entire thing that didn't answer my question anyway. Trying to press my question rather than listening (to something that wasn't helping) didn't go over well & I didn't really see the field again. So I wasn't in the mood to celebrate much afterwards, but a good dinner & some time away at Anne's hotel helped me get refocused to go forward & finish out the round robin against Wales on Tuesday.
The big game- the Red Division championship. Undefeated Ireland against undefeated Scotland. For Scotland, there was also pride on the line, after losing 6-5 to Ireland the previous year in a contentious Celtic Cup match.
Ireland is a thoroughly retooled team since then, with Scotland being mostly the same, save for stud goalie Matt Russell. You might remember Matt Russell as the starting goalie for Navy in the 2004 national championship game until he separated his shoulder sometime in the 3rd quarter. (For the record, he didn't come out until the 4th quarter.)
Scotland struck first, followed by 4 straight Irish goals in the 1st quarter. The teams traded goals in the 2nd & 3rd quarters, but the advantage on number of shots was definitely in favor of Ireland. Matt Russell was making his impression felt, but the sheer number meant that some were inevitably finding their way in. Conditioning helped Ireland pull away in the 4th, and we were able to celebrate a 15-9 victory.
I only played a couple of shifts at long-stick midfield that day, with very little playing time after confusion on 2 straight man-down series. I tried to ask a simple question of the defensive coach who instead tried to launch into a long explanation of the entire thing that didn't answer my question anyway. Trying to press my question rather than listening (to something that wasn't helping) didn't go over well & I didn't really see the field again. So I wasn't in the mood to celebrate much afterwards, but a good dinner & some time away at Anne's hotel helped me get refocused to go forward & finish out the round robin against Wales on Tuesday.