There was just a single win in it for Team Scotland, but by competing against the best at the FIL world field lacrosse championships over the past two weeks in Israel, there were definite victories for those wearing the plaid.
Despite going 1-7 at the tournament, Scotland tested its metal and progress against the likes of lax powers Iroquois Nation, Canada and eventual champion U.S. and gained a deeper understanding of what it will take to make the next step.
For New Westminster’s Daniel McQuade, the experience was a definite plus.
“The experience was amazing,” said McQuade, a New West-born member of the New West Salmonbellies. “It was the most lacrosse I’ve ever played. I was there for 14, 15 days and we played lacrosse for 13 or 14 days. We had a bunch of scrimmages and then we played the best teams in the world --- Canada, the Iroquois Nation, U.S.
“We didn’t meet our expectations but we competed and it’s nice to play against the best players in the world.”
Although he had to take a sojourn from playing with the Salmonbellies -- as did teammate Jimmy McBride, and a handful of other B.C.-based players -- there was no skipping out on the tough task at hand.
It was McQuade’s second time representing his father’s native land, and the experience went beyond the on-field sweat and toil, haggis and tartan stereotypes. McQuade found himself on a roster with a broader mix of experience than the last time he represented the Highland country, at the under-19s in 2008. Teammates came from a number of nations, but all bound by the game and representing Scotland with pride.
“I’m a Canadian playing for Scotland, but everyone has to have a direct parent born there, so we all have dual citizen passports. Once we got there all the (Scottish) boys are lacrosse players (from) all around the world, London, the States, Scotland. One of our long-stick middies had only been playing for three years and he was borderline our MVP, so it was good.”
The team’s last game was their lone win – a 14-10 decision over Ireland, which saw Scotland rally with seven straight goals to take control of the game. McQuade finished the eight-game tourney with five goals and two assists, while McBride posted nine goals and five helpers.
Against Canada, they were whipped 22-3, while the U.S. manhandled them 18-2.
“We got killed, first of all, but they just play a box lacrosse (style), slinging it around,” he said of playing his native countrymen. “(Canada) has got Kevin Crowley, Curtis Dickson and Ben McIntosh and they were playing really well. We had our opportunities and got a few on them, which was nice. It was a learning experience and an awesome time.”
The highlight of the tournament, which also saw New West’s Josh Byrne play for Canada, was right at the start, said McQuade.
“The opening ceremonies is pretty unreal. They had it in a huge soccer stadium and there were thousands of Israelis who came out and they were chanting. There were 46 teams and just watching teams like Uganda, Spain – first-year teams come out that it was a once-in-a lifetime opportunity.
“On the last two nights after everyone was done playing we were going out with the players and meeting new people, that was the highlight.”
