July 8, 2002

PERTH, Australia -- The United States men's lacrosse team has gotten off to a quick start at the 2002 ILF World Championships. The Americans knocked off the Iroquois Nationals, 21-6 in their opening game on Saturday, July 6 and came back to beat host Australia, 22-7 on Sunday, July 7.

Against the Iroquois, the United States led 5-1 after the first quarter and 12-1 at halftime to cruise to the victory. Johns Hopkins attackman Bobby Benson scored three goals and added one assist in the win. Kevin Lowe led the way for the United States with four goals. The game was scoreless for the first 12 minutes of action before the Americans took control by scoring 12 goals in the next 18 minutes to put the game away.

A day later, the U.S. didn't wait nearly as long to get the offense going as a 7-1 game-opening run put the game out of reach early. The Americans outshot Australia, 51-27 and led 10-3 at the half. Benson scored one goal for the U.S., which also got four more goals from Lowe and three goals and four assists from Mike Powell.

Johns Hopkins midfielder Adam Doneger, who is an alternate on the team, has not seen any game action through the first two games.

The United States, which is looking for its sixth straight World Championship, will resume play on Tuesday with a game against Canada. In the 1998 ILF Championship game at Johns Hopkins' Homewood Field, the United States defeated Canada, 15-14 in overtime. Canada is the only team to beat the U.S. since the inception of the tournament in 1974. The Canadians beat the U.S. in the 1978 championship game.

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