The 2002 World Lacrosse Championship were held between 7âÂÂ15 July 2002. The event was the ninth international men's lacrosse championship, and took place in Perth, Western Australia, under the auspices of the International Lacrosse Federation. This was the second time that the tournament was held in Perth, following the 1990 tournament. Fifteen teams competed in the event in three divisions.
The United States successfully defended their title for the sixth consecutive time, defeating Canada 18âÂÂ15 in the final. Australia beat the Iroquois team 12âÂÂ11 for third place.
For the pool play phase of the tournament, the teams were divided into three divisions â five in the top Blue Division, six in the Red Division, and four in the Green Division. The top three finishers in the Blue Division advanced directly to the semi-finals, while the fourth place team played the winner of the Red Division for the final semi-final spot. Green Division participants were not eligible to win the championship.
Blue Division fourth-place finisher Iroquois Nationals and Red Division winner Japan played a 1-game playoff to determine who would be the fourth and final semi-finalist in the championship bracket.
Tournament MVP Doug Shanahan dominated face-offs to give the USA a distinct advantage and an early lead. However, Canada came back to get to 7âÂÂ6 on a Paul Gait goal in the second quarter and then finished strong before halftime to lead 9âÂÂ7. The US team pulled ahead in the third quarter by three goals. Canada rallied again to tie the score before the US answered with three of their own to preserve a 18âÂÂ15 victory.
Although Ireland won the Green Division, runner-up South Korea progressed to the 9th-12th place bracket because Ireland was not yet a member of the International Lacrosse Federation.
Source:
The International Lacrosse Federation named an All World Team at the conclusion of the championship, along with four other individual awards.
Ryan McClay<br> Ryan Mollett<br> Steve Toll
Doug Shanahan<br> Peter Inge<br> Gavin Prout
John Grant, Jr.<br> Darren Lowe <br> Neal Powless
Trevor Tierney - Goalkeeper<br> Ryan McClay - Defence<br> Doug Shanahan - Midfield<br> John Grant, Jr. - Attack
Doug Shanahan - Midfield, face-off