Ryan Boyle

The United States began its quest for a sixth straight International Lacrosse Federation world championship by defeating the Iroquois Nationals, 21-6, yesterday in Perth, Australia. Attackman Kevin Lowe led the Americans with four goals. Ryan Boyle (Gilman) and Bobby Benson (McDonogh, Johns Hopkins) added three each. Former Loyola College All-American Gewas Schindler led the Iroquois Nationals with three goals. The U.S. team is scheduled to play tournament host Australia today at 4 a.m. eastern time in the second game of pool play.

Lacrosse Ex-Terps coach Cottle joins Bayhawks as consultant Former Maryland and Loyola coach Dave Cottle has joined the Chesapeake Bayhawks of Major League Lacrosse as a consultant, president Brendan Kelly announced Monday. Kelly, who took on the role of coach last week, said Cottle would advise the staff on topics ranging from player evaluation to game strategies. "This is huge for the Bayhawks, and it's huge for Major League Lacrosse," Kelly said. "We are fortunate that someone with Dave Cottle's expertise is willing to dedicate his time.

Four former area high school standouts were among 23 players selected to represent the United States in the 2002 International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) World Championships. The championships will be contested July 6-14, 2002, in Perth, Australia. Princeton All-American Ryan Mollett and Syracuse All-American John Glatzel, both Boys' Latin grads, will reunite on Team USA's defense, which will also feature Maryland All-American Michael Howley. The attack unit will include Johns Hopkins' Bobby Benson (McDonogh)

Here's what I hope happens: Years from now, Ryan Boyle, the great lacrosse player, looks back on a stellar career in his chosen sport - from Gilman to Princeton to professional teams in New York and Philadelphia - and he declares the Baltimore Youth Lacrosse League his most important accomplishment. I hope the league is a success and that it lasts forever. Except for a clinic the league held on a rainy, muddy Saturday in March in Patterson Park, not a single ball has been thrown yet, not a single shot taken on goal.

PERTH, Australia - Doug Shanahan scored four goals and the United States overcame a two-goal halftime deficit to defeat Canada, 18-15, yesterday for the 2002 International Lacrosse Federation world championship. The Americans have now won six consecutive ILF titles since losing to Canada in the 1978 title game. The Canadians took a 9-7 halftime lead, but then the United States outscored Canada - which got four goals each from John Grant Jr. and Tracey Kelusky - 6-1 to take a 13-10 lead entering the final quarter.

Gilman had the area's No. 1 ranking and home-field advantage yesterday against St. Paul's, a team somewhat jet-lagged after arriving Tuesday night from a six-scrimmage trip to San Diego. But the advantages nearly slipped away on a slick, muddy field against the fourth-ranked Crusaders. The Greyhounds needed late-game heroics from Andrew Lucas, goalie Jay Pfeiffer's defensive leadership and a four-goal performance that senior midfielder Lance Zimmerman called "my best on the varsity" in its 10-8, come-from-behind Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference win. The Crusaders led 4-0 in the first period, 6-3 at halftime and didn't allow allow the Greyhounds their first lead, at 9-8, until 7: 10 was left.

Matchup: Philadelphia (4-5) at Bayhawks (5-4) Site: Johnny Unitas Stadium at Towson University Time: 7 Radio/TV: WJFK (1300 AM) live; WMAR-TV (Ch. 2), tape delay at 11:35 p.m. Outlook: The Bayhawks again strive to break their winless ways at home and welcome back Barrage goalie Greg Cattrano in this game with playoff ramifications. Philadelphia has won two straight for the first time in franchise history, having pummeled Boston, 29-20, last week, to set a team record for most points in a game.

PERTH, Australia - Ryan Boyle, Steve Dusseau and Doug Shanahan each scored three goals to help the United States bounce Canada, 14-9, and clinch the top seed in the semifinals of the International Lacrosse Federation world championship yesterday at UWA Sports Park. The United States (3-0), which defeated Canada, 15-14, in overtime to win the 1998 world championships in Baltimore, jumped out to a 4-2 lead after the first quarter, thanks to three goals by Dusseau. The United States maintained at least a two-goal lead before blowing the game open in the third quarter, outscoring the Canadians 6-0 to take a 13-5 lead.

As the No. 1 team for much of the season, Johns Hopkins was expected to reach the final four of the NCAA men's lacrosse tournament. So was Syracuse. After all, you don't make 21 straight trips to the NCAA semifinals without creating expectations along the way. People learned long ago to not count out coach Bill Tierney's Princeton teams, but where did Navy come from? After a regular season that offered plenty of surprises - Ohio State and Army spending time in the top 10 and reigning national champion Virginia not making the tournament, just to name a few - college lacrosse's pinnacle weekend at M&T Bank Stadium is closer to the status quo. Princeton, Johns Hopkins and Syracuse have combined for 58 final four appearances.

Unlike its opponent yesterday, the Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse team was not supposed to be a work in progress. But after a less than inspiring one-goal win over Pennsylvania last weekend, the Blue Jays were a far different team yesterday - the one everyone expected them to be. Top-ranked Johns Hopkins broke open a close game in the third quarter with a commanding eight-goal run to post a surprisingly one-sided 14-5 victory over No. 4 Princeton before...

Wait 'til next year. That was the refrain emanating from the Bayhawks last night after they concluded their worst regular season in the six-year history of Major League Lacrosse with a 20-12 defeat to the playoff-bound Philadelphia Barrage at Johnny Unitas Stadium. It marks the first season that the Bayhawks, defending league champions, have missed postseason play after they finished with three consecutive defeats to land in last place in the Eastern Division. "Next year we're going to out with a different mind-set," said attackman Matt Ward, who scored a team-leading three goals and was named the squad's rookie of the year.

Matchup -- Philadelphia Barrage (9-2) @ Bayhawks (4-7) Site -- Johnny Unitas Stadium Time -- 7 Outlook -- The Bayhawks will miss the Major League Lacrosse postsea son for the first time in the league's six-year history, making tonight's sea son finale against first-place Philadel phia the last chance for a group of rookies to prove they are worthy of starting roles next season. The Bay hawks' 23-16 loss at Boston last Satur day knocked them out of contention and created a three-way tie for last place in the Eastern Conference.

PHILADELPHIA - Princeton lacrosse coach Bill Tierney didn't put his dirty socks in the hamper Tuesday night, and his wardrobe at the Tigers' game tomorrow will consist of dark blue pants, a dark long-sleeve shirt under a white sports shirt and a baseball cap. It's the same outfit he wore during Princeton's 6-5 double overtime win against Penn on Tuesday. "I'm full of superstitions, even though I haven't resorted yet to biting the heads off chickens," said Tierney, laughing. "When you're winning, you're aware of the way you drive to work, the things you say to kids, the way you practice in pre-game.

PHILADELPHIA - Ryan Boyle made a big impression in his debut for Major League Lacrosse's Philadelphia Barrage. But the Bayhawks' Gary Gait had the last word. Gait's one-handed, underhand goal with 8:23 remaining in overtime helped the Bayhawks escape with a 19-18 victory over the Barrage before 2,495 at Villanova Stadium last night. The Bayhawks moved back into a first-place tie in the National Division with Rochester, despite surrendering a five-point lead and getting little offense in the second and third quarters.

11:30 A.M., ESPN2 Key factors Navy's defense on Ryan Boyle: Boyle, the savvy quarterback of the Princeton offense, can take over a game. Navy cannot let him find the open man or blaze his own path to the goal. The Tigers usually attack the short sticks, but on key possessions, Boyle will have the ball. Goalies: Navy sophomore Matt Russell went from a reserve to potentially a first-team All-American. He has the ability to make outstanding saves and get in shooters' heads. His counterpart, sophomore Dave Law, isn't as flashy, but his consistency has been key. Tempo: When Navy is at its best, it creates opportunities off faceoffs and in transition, using the speed of its midfielders and long sticks.

As the No. 1 team for much of the season, Johns Hopkins was expected to reach the final four of the NCAA men's lacrosse tournament. So was Syracuse. After all, you don't make 21 straight trips to the NCAA semifinals without creating expectations along the way. People learned long ago to not count out coach Bill Tierney's Princeton teams, but where did Navy come from? After a regular season that offered plenty of surprises - Ohio State and Army spending time in the top 10 and reigning national champion Virginia not making the tournament, just to name a few - college lacrosse's pinnacle weekend at M&T Bank Stadium is closer to the status quo. Princeton, Johns Hopkins and Syracuse have combined for 58 final four appearances.