Peterborough Helps Canada Win First-Ever U20 World Lacrosse Championship

Five Peterborough players and staff helped Team Canada grab their first U20 World Lacrosse Championship and gold medal by defeating the USA, 6-5, at the Gongcheonpo Training Center in Jeju Island, Korea on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of World Lacrosse.

The win was considered an upset over the Americans who had won the last nine gold medals.

Among the hometown members were Peterborough native Dan Carey as the general manager and John Grant Sr. as an assistant coach. Peterborough’s Brendan Marino and Jr. A. Lakers Wyatt Wiggins and Sam Trumble were playing for Team Canada.

(from left to right) Brendan Marino, John Grant Jr. and Wyatt Wiggins as the Peterborough connections of Team Canada after winning the championship. Facebook photo/Gerry Marino.

Team Canada had a rough start out of the gate, losing to the heavily-favoured Americans in a close match, 7-6, on day one.

Canada rebounded with a 13-4 win over the Australians on day two, followed by a 13-8 win over Haudenosaunee on day three. Day four saw Canada win in a 21-1 rout of the Jamaicans.

The Canadians met the Australians again in the semifinals, with a similar score to their last game, winning 13-5.

In the finals, Canada had established a 6-2 lead with 4:26 left in regulation. USA led a furious rally, scoring three goals in 4:18. The Americans threatened to tie the game. However, Team Canada goalie Grayson Manning made a last-second save to preserve the win and earned tournament MVP honours to secure gold.

The win finishes Canada with a 5-1 record, with their only loss to the Americans in the opening game. USA with the loss suffered their first defeat in the championship game in team history.

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