Two local players have made the final roster for Team Canada in the upcoming U-19 Men’s World Lacrosse Championship in Coquitlam, BC.
Mackenzie Ioccoca, 17, of Puslinch, and Robert Stoval, 18, of Fergus, will be joining 22 other teens from across Canada to take part in the tournament July 7 to 16.
Ioccoca, who played minor lacrosse and Junior B lacrosse in Guelph, wasn’t invited to the first selection camp at IMG Academy in Florida. But he received an invite to the second camp, where he said he had a good showing.
He will be playing midfield for Team Canada.
“It was an incredible honour and very surreal. Knowing I was getting a chance to represent my country felt incredible,” said Ioccoca.
Stoval has been playing lacrosse since he was five, starting with the Centre Wellington Mohawks then Junior B for the Elora Mohawks and Junior A with the Orangeville Northmen. He is currently playing varsity for The Hill Academy in Vaughan.
Stoval missed the original deadline for tryouts due to an injury but was asked to attend the selection camp in Florida last year. He’ll play defense for Team Canada.
“I was super excited to be named to Team Canada. I immediately thought about how far I have come and all the adversity I faced finally paid off,” he said. “I also thought of my family, and how all the bumps in the road made me stronger – and finally there was a proud and a positive moment for my family.”
Taylor Wray of Edmonton will coach the team. Over 200 applicants tried out, going through a selection camp and an exhibition game versus Team USA, until 24 players were selected.
“I want to congratulate the players on the final roster; it is a tremendous honour and major accomplishment,” said Wray in a press release. “There is no greater achievement in Sports than to be able to represent your country at international competition.”
Both Stoval and Ioccoca will head to BC in July, competing against teams from all over the world, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Colombia, Ireland, Israel, USA, Finland, Australia, England and Germany.
“I’m more excited than nervous, as I believe its going to be an incredible experience,” said Ioccoca. “It’s sometimes nerve-racking to think how high the stakes are, but I like that pressure and am looking forward to representing my country.”
Team Canada will be hoping to usurp the Americans, who have won the championship every year it has been played.
“We are going to this tournament with the only goal of winning the gold and that road will definitely go through the American team, as we are both very strong teams,” said Ioccoca.
Stoval added, “The U.S. team is definitely skilled and well coached, but I think the heart, hard work and discipline of the Canadians will help dethrone the Americans.
“I am looking forward to playing at the highest level, playing with the best players from my country and being coached by Canadian college coaches who are extremely knowledgeable.”
