2015_World_Indoor_Lacrosse_Championship
The 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship (WILC) was the fourth international box lacrosse championship organized by the Federation of International Lacrosse every four years. The 2015 WILC was hosted by the Onondaga Nation in the United States, south of Syracuse, New York, and took place between September 18 and 27.[1] Canada defeated the host Iroquois Nationals 12–8 in the gold medal game, the same finals match-up featured in the first three indoor championships.[2] Since the WILC started in 2003, Team Canada is undefeated with an overall record of 23–0.[3]
In the bronze medal game, the United States beat first-time participant Israel 15–4.[4] Canadian Shawn Evans was the tournament MVP, scoring 10 goals and 25 assists in 5 games.[5]
Thirteen countries participated, 5 more than in 2011, including first-time competitors Finland, Germany, Israel, Serbia, Switzerland, and Turkey.[6] Most games were held on the Onondaga Nation at the Onondaga Nation Arena and the newly built $6.5 million Onondaga Nation Fieldhouse, although the Iroquois' games versus Canada and the United States were held at War Memorial Arena in Syracuse.[7][8] Over 10,000 fans attended the gold and bronze medal games in the Carrier Dome.[9]
The opening ceremonies in the sold-out War Memorial Arena featured a light show about the Haudenosaunee creation story and traditional dancing.[10] After the Iroquois Nationals were not allowed to use their Haudenosaunee passports to travel to England in 2010 due to new security requirements, many international players were interested in getting their passports stamped by the Onondaga Nation.[11] The documentary Spirit Game: Pride of a Nation explains the meaning of lacrosse to the Iroquois people and covers the Iroquois Nationals in the 2015 WILC, featuring brothers Lyle and Miles Thompson.[12]
