Canada Defeats Austria to Open 2019 E-Box

The opening game of the 2019 European Box Lacrosse Invitational series saw Canada take on Austria. The Austrian roster largely consisted of players from the Vienna Monarchs and KAC Lacrosse. "Both of the clubs [Monarchs and KAC] place a tremendous value on box lacrosse and we hope to work with them in the future." Said Canada General Manager Chris Fox when asked about the development of box lacrosse in Austria.

[PHOTO: Canada with Austria Men's National Indoor Lacrosse Team]

The European style of box lacrosse does not shy away from the physicality of the sport. Austria played physical making Canada pay for each and every goal. "With NLL and International rules, there is less crosschecking. But they make up for it and make you work for loose balls." Fox added. Canada and Austria battled neck-and-neck for face-offs, with Austria #26 Thomas Anderlik taking most of the draws, edging our Canada 15-13.  

Austria's lone goal score was #11 Mason Suppanz, who is from Kamloops, British Columbia and comes from Austrian decent. Canada was lead offensively by #2 Tanner Buck with 4 Goals, 4 Assist, #3 Luke Pilcher with 7 Goals, 7 Assist and #21 Ben Foster with 3 Goals, 5 Assist. Canada would rotated goalies at the half, a trend that continued for each game, with #33 Brody Harris starting, facing 11 Saves and letting up 1 Goal and #00 Laine Hruska making 9 Saves to close out the game.

Watch: YouTube
Boxscore: Canada 23 - Austria 1
Next Game: Czech Republic (LCC Wolves)