Denver, CO.- Team Canada will face Team USA in the gold medal game, setting the stage for a rematch of the opening game of the 2014 FIL World Championships.

After going 4-1in pool play, Team Canada faced the Iroquois Nationals in semi-final action.   In the warm-up to the finals, Curtis Dickson, who scored the game-winning goal to claim a 9-8 victory when they faced the Iroquois Nationals in their pool play matchup, came up big again with four goals in the semi-final matchup to lead Canada.

It was a start that had Canadian fans holding their breath - the Iroquois Nationals got on the board first and sniped two before Canada's Kevin Crowley got the Red and Whites on the scoresheet.  Team Canada ended the first quarter down 4-1 and it seemed like none of the looks Canada had were finding the back of the net.  Down 4-1, Canada's goal keeper, Dillon Ward, and the Team Canada defense shut things down, keeping the Iroquois Nationals off the board for the entire second quarter.  Goals from Geoff Snider and Jordan MacIntosh had Canada fight back within one to end the first half down 4-3.  

Starting the second half the way they finished the first, Team Canada's defense slowed the Nationals attack, shifting matchups, holding the Nationals big scorers off the board.  On the offense, Adam Jones and Mark Matthews solved Nationals goalie Warren Hill who had kept his team's lead in tact in the first half.  Canada's Curtis Dickson then went on a run with under five minutes to play in the third quarter scoring three of his four game leading goals in back-to-back-to-back goals.  

Canada continued to dominate on both ends of the field scoring in total eight straight goals and keeping the Nationals off the scoreboard for nearly fifty minutes leading 9-4 with sixteen minutes left in the game.  Canada's Zack Greer cashed one to give Canada it's 9-4 lead.  The Iroquois scored twice after Greer's goal but Canada pulled away with individual tallies from Jordan Hall and Cam Flint.  Dickson ended the game with his fourth goal, solidifying Canada's place in the FIL World Championship gold medal game with a 12-6 victory.

Goalkeeper Dillon Ward played well, making eight saves while Geoff Snider dominated at the face-off winning 16 of 21 and scoring a fast-break goal off the second quarter's opening draw that kick-started the eight-goal run.  It was a full team effort in the win as Canada had nine players score goals, and the defense kept the Nationals offense at bay.  

Team Canada will look to take that momentum and focus into Saturday’s game.  They have worked hard to get to this point.  They are skilled and talented athletes.  Back home they play for different teams, often facing one another in national championships and season play, but you wouldn’t know that to watch them over the past nine days – these guys play for one team now, Team Canada, and they are doing us all proud.

Nine days from the first match, the two teams will face off one last time – winner takes all.  Team Canada is focused, they are ready, and their sights are set on one, collective team goal – GOLD.  Game time is set for 7pm MST (9pm EST), Saturday July 19.  

Canadian fans can catch the action live on TSN2.  

Game statistics can be found at: http://www.worldlacrosse2014.com/sports/mlax/2013-14/files/124.htm

Canada's goal scorers: Curtis Dickson (4g), Kevin Crowley (1g), Geoff Snider (1g), Jordan MacIntosh (1g), Adam Jones (1g), Mark Matthews (1g), Zack Greer (1g), Jordan Hall (1g), Cam Flint (1g).

About the Canadian Lacrosse Association
The Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) is the governing body responsible for all aspects of lacrosse in Canada.  The CLA mission is to honour the sport of lacrosse and its unique nation-building heritage, by engaging our members and leading our partners and providing opportunities for all Canadians to participate.   We value health, excellence, accountability, respect and teamwork.  For more details on the Canadian Lacrosse Association and the sport of lacrosse, visit www.lacrosse.ca

- 30 -

For more information, contact:
Britany Gordon
Events and Communication Coordinator
Canadian Lacrosse Association
613-260-2028 ext. 302
britany@lacrosse.ca