July 7, 2008

BALTIMORE, MD -- The United States sandwiched a pair of blowouts around one of the most amazing comebacks in lacrosse history to close pool play with a perfect 5-0 record at the 2008 ILF Under-19 World Championships. After opening with wins over The Iroquois Nationals and Australia, the Americans defeated Japan (27-0), Canada (16-15 in double overtime) and England (24-4) to run its all-time record to 34-0 since the U-19 Championships debuted in 1988.

With its perfect 5-0 record, the United States advances to the semifinals on Thursday (July 10) against the winner of a quarterfinal game between Germany and England.

Fueling the United States at the championships are Johns Hopkins standouts Matt Dolente and Tim Donovan. As the top faceoff specialist on the United States team, Dolente has won 81-of-127 (.638) faceoffs through the first five games. He won 15-of-21 faceoffs against Japan, 15-of-29 in the come-from-behind win over Canada and wrapped up his efforts in pool play by taking 11-of-16 against England.

Donovan is holding down a regular spot at midfield and has totaled four goals and one assist. His goal early in the fourth quarter against Canada helped spark a game-ending 9-1 run that saw the United States erase a 14-7 deficit at the end of the three quarters.

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