Among the players trying out for the U.S. national team were six players who took home the PLL title on Sept. 18 with Waterdogs LC. Liam Byrnes, Ryan Conrad, Jack Hannah, Connor Kelly, Kieran McArdle and Michael Sowers had four days to rest, recover and celebrate the victory before traveling to USA Lacrosse to chase another dream.
“We have a lot of dogs out there, so that’s always exciting to see,” Conrad said. “Body in motion stays in motion, so I’m going to keep it going until I shut off maybe in January.”
For the crop of PLL champions, the weekend served as a chance to compete while they’re still in top form. The Waterdogs combined for six goals in Saturday’s scrimmage and followed with a combined seven goals Sunday. McArdle chipped in a hat trick Saturday and Kelly ripped home three goals Sunday.
Conrad, coming out of the offensive midfield for most of the training camp, showcased the combination of dodging and timely shooting that helped fuel the Waterdogs’ run to a title. The former U.S. U19 and Sixes star scored three times over two scrimmages.
After two recovery days on Monday and Tuesday, Conrad got right back to work, attempting to make his third U.S. team. He’s just a few months removed from representing the U.S. at The World Games in Birmingham, Ala., where he earned a silver medal.
Playing the fast-paced Sixes discipline, mixed with a smaller field in the PLL, gave players like Conrad plenty of reps but forced a period of adaptation back to the international field length and rules.
“The biggest thing is the space,” Conrad said. “The fields are so much smaller, especially Sixes. We even did these tryouts in the middle of Sixes and the PLL. Having all of that mixed together, you really need to dial it back to whatever you’re playing that week. Everyone has to be a [multi-discipline] player.”
Conrad joined fellow Sixes players Byrnes, Zach Goodrich, Colin Heacock, Jack Kelly, Tom Schreiber and Brad Smith at training camp this weekend. Each is looking to avenge the gold-medal loss to Canada in Birmingham, this time at the senior level.
For Kelly, Schreiber and Conrad, it’s a chance to win another gold — something that few among the 52 have accomplished.
“I saw a lot of shots this summer,” Kelly said. “It’s probably the most lacrosse I’ve played in my life, with training camps and tryouts, Sixes, PLL and then the tournament for Sixes. It gets you ready for a long season. I feel comfortable because I know I’ve taken so many shots. I’ve seen so many different scenarios.”
Kelly’s preparation for this U.S. tryout process involved both physical and mental challenges. He spent much of the past four years recovering from ACL surgery in an attempt to make a return to lacrosse. At times the sport became secondary, as he struggled just to walk during his rehabilitation.
Now years removed from the torn ACL he suffered at the world championship in Israel, Kelly is enjoying the moment. As a veteran of the national team process, he’s eager to make connections and appreciate the experience of fighting for a roster spot.
“[Israel] was the best experience of my life and one of the worst experiences of my life, so those swings of emotion were hard to deal with,” he said. “After my injury, I don’t remember much of the training camps and all of that. The older guys on the team, there was just a sense of appreciation that they had, while I was 21 or 22 trying out just focused on making the team. I’m hoping to enjoy it a little more and bring some positive energy.”
The U.S. training roster will carry that positivity to Fall Classic from Oct. 14-16 and the IMLCA Winter Summit in Orlando from Dec. 9-11.