SAN DIEGO – After 11 days and 107 games, the University at Albany men's lacrosse program saw 11 current and former team members adorn all three spots on the tournament podium.  Team USA, with Blaze Riorden and TD Ierlan, won gold for the second-straight tournament, Canada, with Connor Fields and Merrick Thomson, won silver, and the Haudenosaunee, with Ron John, Tehoka Nanticoke, Jakob Patterson, Jake Piseno, Lyle Thompson, Jack VanValkenburgh, and Scott Marr, won bronze.
 
Team USA went unbeaten in all seven of its games, bookending its time at the tournament with victories over Canada in the opener and title game.  Riorden was named Best Goalkeeper for the tournament and earned a spot on the All-World Team after recording five victories, 22 saves, and allowing only 15 goals.  Ierlan went 53-61 on the faceoff as part of a tandem with Trevor Baptiste.  Both players combined to win 80% of faceoffs during the tournament.
 
Team USA ranked third during the tournament, scoring 12.29 goals per game, and second, allowing 4.01 goals per game
 
Team Canada's only two defeats came against Team USA.  Fields finished the tournament with six goals and six assists, plus three ground balls and one caused turnover.  Thomson served as an assistant on the team.
 
"The whole experience was amazing," said Thomson.  "You go through so many emotions in such a small amount of time.  I felt two massive swings of emotion after our gold medal game.  The sting of defeat from an intense rivalry game that dates back to the very first World Championship, and then pure joy and excitement for our lacrosse program at UAlbany seeing Blaze win the gold medal, Jake and Blaze both being named to the All-World Team as well as players of the tournament at each of their respective positions.  Not to mention the amount of alumni playing in the World Championships.  It was an amazing sight."
 
Team Canada ranked fourth in the tournament, scoring 10.43 goals per game, and third, allowing 5.57 goals per game.
 
Team Haudenosaunee won bronze for the third-straight tournament and featured the highest number of past and present UAlbany members on the roster.  Piseno was named Best Defender for the tournament, and was the first-ever player from Team Haudenosaunee to earn a spot on the All-World Team.  He scored two goals with four assists, won 11 ground balls, and forced 11 turnovers.  Thompson scored 13 goals and added six assists with six ground balls and one caused turnover.  Patterson scored twice with two assists.  John scored once with two assists, six ground balls, and five caused turnovers.  VanValkenburgh made two appearances in goal, recording three saves.  Nanticoke was injured and did not appear in any games during the tournament.  Marr served as an assistant on the team.
 
"Playing in the World Championship was a dream come true," said Piseno.  "Playing alongside guys like Lyle, Zed Williams, and Randy Staats while also being coached by Lars Tiffany and Coach Marr was a special feeling.  I learned a lot and gained a lot of confidence from being in this tournament.  Being a part of it was a fulfilling experience already but being named to the All-World Team and Best Defender was very special.  I can't thank everyone enough for the support and confidence in me, and I feel my career and journey is on the right path and I can't wait to keep it going."
 
Team Haudenosaunee ranked fifth in the tournament, scoring 10.38 goals per game, and eighth, allowing 6.75 goals per game.
 
"To say that I am proud would be an understatement," said Marr, who made his third appearance at World Championships as a coach, and second with Team Haudenosaunee.  "One coach, two current, and six former Great Danes were an integral part of capturing medals.  "Will Ramos and Steve Ramirez helped Puerto Rico secure their country's first top-10 finish at 10th. Eli and Riley Lasda rounded out the Great Danes in San Diego by leading Latvia to 21st-place after a couple of heartbreaking losses.  All-in-all, the Great Danes represented our University and program with class and distinction.

"I would like to thank the people of the Haudenosaunee for allowing me the honor to walk side-by-side with them in San Diego," Marr continued.  The experience was one of a lifetime I will never forget.  Thank you to the board, Rex Lyons, our GMs Darcy Powless and Tom Mariano, and our coaching staff, Lars Tiffany, Vince Longboat, and Chris Doctor.  And I would be remiss if I didn't thank Jamie LaBrake and the people of the Kumeyaay Nation.  Their warmth and positive energy was incredible. Nyá Weh (thank you)."
 
A total of 15 past and present Great Danes on five rosters participated in the 2023 Men's World Championship.  The five teams, USA, Canada, Haudenosaunee, Puerto Rico, and Latvia, went a combined 25-12 overall.