July 8, 2002

Where are the World Lacrosse Championships being played?

Perth, Australia.

Who from Princeton is on the team?

Attackmen Ryan Boyle and Kevin Lowe, midfielder Matt Striebel, defenseman Ryan Mollett and goalie Trevor Tierney.

How many of those guys were Ivy League Players of the Year?

Three - Kevin Lowe in 1994, Ryan Mollett in 2001 and Ryan Boyle in 2002.

Who is the defending champion?

The U.S. team won in 1998 in Baltimore in the last championships.

Who was the coach in 1988?

Bill Tierney.

Who has the U.S. team beaten to date?

The Americans defeated the Iroquois nation and the host Australians in their first tow games.

What was the combined score?

43-13.

How many goals has Kevin Lowe scored in two games?

Eight.

How many points does Ryan Boyle have in two games?

11 - five goals, six assists.

What's the rest of the schedule?

The U.S. team plays Canada Tuesday in a rematch of the 1998 title game and then plays England Wednesday in the final game of pool play.

How many teams are competing?

15, split into three divisions: the blue division, the red division and the green division. The blue division, with the U.S., Canada, Iroquois, England and Australia, has the traditionally strongest teams. The red division features Japan, Scotland, Germany, Sweden, Wales and the Czech Republic. The green division has Korea, Ireland, Hong Kong and New Zealand.

How does it work?

Each team plays the other teams in its division in pool play. When that is over, the top four teams from the blue division and the top team in the red division advance to play for the championship. The other teams continue playing for finishing spots. The green division teams are ineligible for the title. The medal round will have the No. 1 team in the green division, most likely Japan or Scotland, face the No. 4 team in the blue division. The winner of that game advances to the semifinal to take on the No. 1 team in the blue division. The No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the blue division will meet in the other semifinal.

What does the U.S. have to do to get the medal round?

The Americans are almost assuredly through to the next round. A win in one of their remaining two games would clinch a spot in the semifinals and avoid the extra game against the red division winner.

When are the semifinals?

Friday, at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Australia time, which is Friday at 12 a.m. and 3 a.m. Eastern time.

When is the championship game?

Sunday at 3 p.m. Australia time, which is Saturday night at 10 p.m. Eastern time.