BALTIMORE – The 2007 International Lacrosse Federation of Women’s Lacrosse Associations U-19 World Championship begins Saturday at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. The United States will be one of 11 nations competing and is the defending champion.

The 18-member U.S. team recently completed training camp in Buffalo and begins its quest for a third straight IFWLA U-19 world title on Saturday when it faces England. The U.S. will also play Australia and Canada in pool play before advancing to the championship round.

The U.S. has an all-time record of 20-1 in IFWLA U-19 play, having won 14 straight games since falling to Australia 5-4 in the 1995 championship game. The U.S. beat Australia 15-8 in the 1999 championship and 21-8 in the 2003 championship. No U.S. team has won an international lacrosse championship since the men’s and women’s team swept the U-19 championships in 2003. In 2005, Australia beat the U.S. to win the women’s World Cup and in 2006, Canada beat the U.S. to win the ILF men’s world championship.

Wendy Kridel serves as the head coach for the U.S. team. She led the U.S. to its world titles in 1999 and 2003 and was an assistant coach for the 1995 team.

Team USA Schedule at 2007 IFWLA U-19 World Championship
Aug. 4 – England, 2 pm
Aug. 5 – Canada 2 pm
Aug. 6 – Australia, 7 pm
Aug. 8 – Quarterfinals, TBA
Aug. 10 – Semifinals, TBA
Aug. 11 – Championship, TBA

Coverage of the championships can be found at:

• Lacrosse Magazine Online (www.laxmagazine.com)
• U.S. team’s home page (http://www.uslacrosse.org/teamusa07)
• Event web site (http://www.2007womensu19worldlacrosse.com/)

deBeer Lacrosse is the official exclusive equipment and apparel supplier to the U.S. Women’s National Teams Program. Learn more about the company at www.debeerlacrosse.com.

US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) corporation, is the national governing body for men’s and women’s lacrosse. US Lacrosse has more than 215,000 members around the country. To learn more about the organization, please visit the Web site at www.uslacrosse.org.