July 21, 2018
NETANYA, Israel -- On the world highest stage, Penn State men's lacrosse alumni Greg Gurenlian ('06) and Penn State assistant coach John Haus (Maryland '13) were instrumental in helping Team USA bring home gold after defeating Canada, 9-8, in the finals of the 2018 Federation of International Lacrosse Men's World Championship.
Team USA won epically as US midfielder Tom Schreiber (Princeton '14) scored the game-winner with just seconds on the clock.
Gurenlian chipped in three face-off wins in the final and added two ground balls.
The Red, White, and Blue went 7-0 throughout the tournament, with wins in pool play over Iroquois Nation (17-9), Australia (19-1), Canada (11-10), Scotland (18-2), England (19-2). They then saw Australia again in the semifinal, taking them down 14-5, setting up the second epic match with Canada in the finals.
The championship is the 10th overall for the U.S. as the two countries added another epic chapter to their storied rivalry. Canada defeated the U.S. to win the 2014 world championship in Denver, and the two countries have alternated the championship since 2002 with the U.S. winning in 2002, 2010 and 2018 and Canada winning in 2006 and 2014.
Gurenlian, a faceoff specialist, teamed up with Trevor Baptiste (Denver '18) at the face-off `x' for Team USA, leading the world with a combined 68.9-winning percentage after going 111-161. Gurenlian, who is known as `The Beast' in lacrosse circles, went 44-71 in his attempts. He also added a goal during the tournament.
John Haus (left) poses with Penn State alum Greg Gurenlian '06 (left) after teaming up to win gold for Team USA.
Haus finished the tournament with 11 points, scoring eight goals and adding three assists.
The next FIL World Lacrosse Championship will be in 2022 at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam, British Columbia.