Nothing unsettles a journalist more than having the tables turned on him.
“How do you think we played tonight?” Kyle Harrison asked me after the U.S. team’s somewhat uninspiring 13-10 win over Australia in the 2006 world championship semifinals in London, Ontario.
I froze for a second. I was a 23-year-old ignoramus. Why should my opinion matter?
The conversation took place in the common area of our University of Western Ontario dormitory. Embedded there with the team for the better part of two weeks, I tried my best not to look like a fanboy around the Powell brothers and nine players that have since been inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame — notebook always in hand, a bulky Nikon digital SLR camera constantly draped around my neck. I felt like William Miller from “Almost Famous.” These guys were Stillwater.
I replied honestly. There were too many empty possessions characterized by undisciplined shooting. The U.S. was pressing, playing like a team with the burden of a 28-year undefeated streak on its shoulders. Two days later, Canada exploited those deficiencies to defeat the U.S. in the gold medal game.
Despite the sour finish, I’ll never forget how that team — coached by incoming National Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee John Desko — took me in and validated what I had to say and write. Harrison also was 23 at the time. But he was mature beyond our years. He nodded along as I explained what I saw and thanked me for my candor.
That interaction came to mind while reading Nelson Rice’s cover story for this edition (“K18’s Last Dance,” page 32). “He comes off as larger than life, but he’s really one of the most genuine down-to-earth people,” Harrison’s protege turned teammate Jules Heningburg told Rice. “He really breaks down that barrier quickly and tries to make you feel special.”
Harrison is not the only future Hall of Famer hanging up his cleats after this summer. Longtime teammates and best friends John Galloway and Joel White also announced that this PLL season would be their last.
I remember watching Galloway — sweatpants and all — duel with Adam Ghitelman and Tyler Fiorito during tryouts for the U.S. U19 team in the sweltering summer heat at UMBC in July 2007. He was so spry. All three had a commanding presence in the goal.
White made the team. Galloway did not. They went on to win two NCAA championships together at Syracuse and a gold medal with the U.S. senior team in 2018. After the final whistle, Galloway sought out White, leaped into his arms and cried out in joy.
The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you’re uncool.
— Matt DaSilva, Editor in Chief
This article appears in the September/October edition of USA Lacrosse Magazine. Join our momentum.
THE OPEN
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
WE ARE USA LACROSSE
GREATNESS PERSONIFIED
Meet the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame's Class of 2020
By Paul Ohanian
MY LACROSSE LIFEE
THE SIDEWALL JEDI
Lars Keil helps lacrosse players become one with their sticks.
By Nelson Rice
GAME READY
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
PASSING FANCY
ARCHERS ATTACKMAN GRANT AMENT AND THE ART OF FEEDING
Fast eyes, teammate tendencies and playing the Angles with the PLL pro.
By Nelson Rice
HOGAN KNOWS BEST
STOP LOW SHOTS WITH U.S. GOALIE LIZ HOGAN
How low can you go? Just like shooters train to shoot high to low, goalies need to practice stopping shots near the ground.
By Matt DaSilva
WELLNESS CHECK
SIX STRATEGIES TO HELP WITH YOUR TEAM'S MENTAL HEALTH
Earlham College women's lacrosse coach Lindsey Grundfast has always prioritized mental health.
THE BLAINE GAME
PROUD MOM MOMENTS AND TIPS FROM USA LACROSSE CLINICIAN KAREN BLAINE
The Blaine family — three officials in the bunch — help each other improve their crafts.
By Gordon Corsetti
FEATURES
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
TWENTY YEARS GONE
COMMEMORATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11
An introduction to our recognition of the lives lost on 9/11.
IT'S FAST. IT'S FUN. IT'S SIXES
U.S. NATIONAL TEAMS
Inside the new discipline of the sport.
By Matt Hamilton
THE SKY'S THE LIMIT
ATHLETES UNLIMITED
Athletes Unlimited ushers in a new era of professional women's lacrosse.
By Kenny DeJohn
K18'S LAST DANCE
PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE
An icon who inspired a generation of lacrosse players calls it a career.
By Nelson Rice
WIRED DIFFERENTLY
HIGH SCHOOL
Meet Bobby Van Buren, the most unique prospect in the class of 2021.
By Nelson Rice
NAME. IMAGE. LIKENESS.
COLLEGE
How college lacrosse superstars and content creators are cashing in on the NCAA's foundation-shaking policy.
By Justin Feil
FREE PLAY
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
USA LACROSSE NATIONALS
PRIDE AND JOY
Champions crowned at USA Lacrosse Youth Nationals.
By Brian Logue
PUZZLES AND GAMES
COLLEGE LACROSSE SCHOOLS
NCAA-themed word play, crossword and maze.
By Matt Hamilton and Alyssa March
GROUND BALLS/LAX OUT LOUD
NUMBERS AND QUOTEES
Nakeie Montgomery on the gridiron, Topps trading cards and Alex Aust in SI Swim.
By Kenny DeJohn
TRENDING
USALAXMAGAZINE.COM AND SOCIAL MEDIA
IOC recognition, mound visits by women's lacrosse coaches and players, Noelle Lambert in the Paralympics.
By Kenny DeJohn
HERO BALL
KAYLA TREANOR — THE CONDUCTOR
How the K-Train became the conductor.
Story by Matt Hamilton. Illustration by Alyssa March.
GIVE & GO
SAM APUZZO
The Athletes Unlimited lacrosse pro shares her clumsy side.
By Matt Hamilton