Four Cavaliers Earn Gold for United States in U19 World Championship

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July 21, 2012

TURKU, Finland – Four Virginia men’s lacrosse student-athletes helped lead the United States men’s national under-19 team to the gold medal at the 2012 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) U19 Men’s World Championship in Turku, Finland. The U.S. defeated Canada in the gold medal game on Saturday, 10-8.

Incoming freshman midfielder Matt Florence joined defenseman Greg Danseglio, long stick midfielder Tanner Ottenbreit and midfielder Ryan Tucker, all rising sophomores on the team. Tucker was named to the All-World team after he posted 10 goals and three assists in seven games. Tucker tied for the team lead with two goals in the gold medal-clinching game over Canada, including the game-winning goal.

Florence added four goals during the event, while long poles Danseglio and Ottenbreit scored two goals and one score, respectively.

The U.S. team defended its title from 2008 when it won gold at the quadrennial event, beating Canada, 19-12, in Coquitlam, British Columbia. The U.S. kept its streak alive of winning every gold medal since sanctioned U19 international began in 1988, seven in total.

Former UVa All-American Tom Duquette was one of three assistant coaches on the squad. Tucker’s father, John, was a three-time world champion (1986, 1990, 1994) on the U.S. men’s senior team and also served as an assistant coach for the 2003 U.S. U19 team that won a gold medal. Tucker wore No. 2, the same number his father wore as a member of the U.S. squad.

Virginia led all universities with its four representatives on the roster of 23.