The U.S. indoor national team met this weekend for the first time since January, looking to narrow the player pool for the 2019 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. After a practice Wednesday night and two comfortable victories Thursday and Friday morning, the split-squad USA White and Blue teams were tested.

In the first two rounds, the U.S. commanded the offensive end and came away relatively unscathed defensively. In the four combined games prior to Friday night’s LASNAI quarterfinals, the U.S. had outscored opponents 47-2.

But the road got tougher, both literally and figuratively, for the U.S. at Onondaga Nation Arena. 

USA White was treated to a battle with Frog Pond Maulers and NLL top pick Austin Staats — a game that featured 12 penalties in just 30 minutes of action. USA Blue faced the host Onondaga Redhawks, backed by a partisan crowd in the primetime matchup.

The result of the U.S. indoor team’s first big test since the Heritage Cup last year? Two victories and two berths in the LASNAI semifinals. USA White’s defense held steady for a 2-1 victory over Frog Pond Maulers, while USA Blue held off a furious comeback from Onondaga Redhawks to advance 6-5.

It was a much-needed experience, matching up with two talented teams well-acquainted with the indoor game.

“It was a playoff atmosphere on the bench,” U.S. indoor coach Regy Thorpe said. “It was a couple gritty wins out there. Those are two really proud teams that play in this tournament every year. It was a really good, intense game for our guys and to see them perform and respond when we were up and down will really help our staff going forward.”

Facing its first adversity of the tournament, USA White turned to its leaders to stay organized and compact on the defensive end. Joel White, the U.S. national field team gold medalist and member of the Georgia Swarm, helped keep the unit together.

White had been vocal throughout practices and games this weekend, serving as one of a handful of indoor veterans fostering another generation of U.S. hopefuls.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to play for a bunch of good guys and have great mentors, so to be able to pass that down is great,” he said. “It’s been a long road in both the field and box game for me and I still continue to learn. So anything I can pass along to the guys that are new to the game is something I take pride in.”

The solid defense turned into more chances on cage for the USA White offense, which looked in sync for much of the day. Rob Pannell, Blaze Riorden, Nick Mariano and others generated plenty of chances, with Riorden and Cody Radziewicz cashing in for USA White.

Riorden said he’s never witnessed a U.S. indoor team play like it did Friday. 

“It was great to play a team that has a lot of box experience and it put us to the test and our guys put a lot of work into the preparation for that game,” he said. “It was a different U.S. team than I’ve ever seen out there. We did a good job physically. You get pushed down and our guys battled on the boards and got back up. Big, strong and disciplined — that’s what you’re seeing out of the U.S. teams right now.”

Just two wins separate the U.S. indoor team from having an intrasquad championship match and that formula could be the answer to both Thompson Brothers Lacrosse and Goldstar Tel Aviv. 

Led by Lyle and Myles Thompson and Dhane Smith, the Thompson Brothers team returns to the semifinals after winning last year's title. Another quality team littered with NLL talented, another challenge for Team USA.

This time around, the teams will battle through four 10-minute quarters, as opposed to the 15-minute halves in previous games.

“Winning is a bonus for us at this event," Thorpe said. "We split the two teams to make it a competitive environment and give the guys an opportunity to showcase themselves in an intense game. It’ll go a little longer and it’ll be more like an NLL game. It’ll give our guys a little better feel for the game.”

As for USA Blue, the offense clicked for most of the 30-minute battle with the hosts. Kieran McArdle stepped up in the absence of Marcus Holman (returned to Utah). He dished out three assists and added a goal to lead the Blue offense.

McArdle and Connor Kelly helped their squad jump out to a 5-1 lead, one they held on to as the final seconds ticked down. 

Baptiste Riding the Wave

Remember Connor Kelly’s wild week? His partner for the NLL Draft festivities and passenger for the four-hour car ride to Syracuse was new Philadelphia Wings draftee Trevor Baptiste. 

It’s been a busy few weeks for Baptiste, the Denver graduate who earned a gold medal alongside his faceoff idol Greg Gurenlian this summer, wrapping up clinics with the Boston Cannons last weekend, stopping by his home in New Jersey, watching as he was selected in the second round of the NLL Draft and heading up to LASNAI for indoor tryouts. 

It’s the life of a budding lacrosse star — both in the field and indoor game. 

“It’s been quite the week for me, but I’m really excited,” he said. “I’m getting used to being a road warrior.”

But he's not looking too far ahead. He’ll line up for faceoffs Saturday night against Lyle Thompson, a player whose skill set is unlimited. Baptiste said he's ready for the unique challenge.

“He’s one of the top players in the world and that’s not really something he’s comfortable doing,” Baptiste said. “Hopefully I can take advantage of that. I’m just excited to go up against the Thompson Brothers in general, especially on the reservation.”

U.S. Team All-Stars

Five U.S. indoor players — Baptiste, Brandon Miller, Marty Bowes, Davey Emala and Cody Radziewicz — were selected for the Pros vs. Joes All-Star game following Friday’s quarterfinal action. 

In addition to the exhibition game, players took part in a penalty shot competition. Baptiste did his part by scoring on his try. Later in the game, he had fun with his opposing faceoff man, playing rock-paper-scissors for possession —maybe the easiest win he's had in a while.