NLL: Three to Represent Jax on Team USA

The 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships takes place May 14-20 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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PORTLAND - Three LumberJax players will compete for Team USA this May at the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships at the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Jax forward Jed Prossner, transition player Scott Stapleford and goalie Dwight Maetche will all represent the Jax on Team USA.

"After a four month selection process, we are satisfied that the team we have assembled is both deserving of the honor as well as committed to representing the United States in Halifax ,” said Team USA Head Coach Tom Ryan. “Indoor lacrosse has come a long way in the US over the past decade. I am confident that this group will do everything we can to make our friends and families proud.”

Prossner is an Easton, Md. native and is a rookie in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) this season.

He had been selected in the 2005 NLL Entry Draft (fourth round, 45th overall), but was released just before the roster deadline.

Jax Head Coach and General Manager Derek Keenan was thankful he wasn’t picked up last season as a free agent, since he has helped the Jax with five goals and five assists this season.

Prossner has also spent the past two summers playing for Major League Lacrosse’s (MLL) Philadelphia Barrage, who picked him up as the second-overall pick in the 2005 MLL Entry Draft.

“This is a great opportunity to be selected as one of 33 players to represent team USA in the indoor games,” Prossner said. “I am looking forward to the experience of playing against the best indoor players in the world.”

Although Stapleford was born in Windsor, Ontario , he currently has dual citizenship in the US and Canada.

The Jax transition player resides in Denver, Colo. and acquired his dual-citizenship status after playing three seasons with the Colorado Mammoth.

Stapleford was traded to the Jax on Sept. 21, 2006 and inked a two-year deal on Nov. 10.

He has stepped up his offensive game this year, scoring six goals through 11 games. Stapleford had scored just eight over the past four years.

“I am looking forward to this opportunity to represent the USA ,” Stapleford said. “I certainly view this chance to play for this nation in an International competition as the greatest privilege any athlete can be presented with.”

Jax third-string goalie and practice player Maetche is a Portland, Ore. native but currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia and also carries dual citizenship.

At 47-years-old, Maetche is the oldest player in the NLL and a ten-year veteran of the league.

He previously played in Philadelphia, Charlotte, New York, Vancouver and Edmonton before finally coming back to his hometown of Portland.

Although he is the team’s practice player, he competed in goal against Colorado on Feb. 15 and made 36 saves for a 0.818 save percentage.

"Dwight was a key in the USA 's win over Canada in the 2002 Heritage Cup, and we are happy to have him back this year," Ryan added.

USA, Canada, Australia, England, Ireland, Czech Republic, Scotland, and the Iroquois Nationals will compete at the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship which takes place May 14-20.

Each team will play a three game round-robin schedule, with the top six teams advancing to the playoffs.

For more information, please visit www.usindoorlacrosse.org.

Team USA Schedule:

Monday, May 14, 5:00 PM - United States vs. Australia

Tuesday, May 15, 1:00 PM - United States vs. Ireland

Wednesday, May 16, 8:00 PM - United States vs. Canada

Friday, May 18, 5:00/8:00 PM - Quarterfinals (if necessary)

Saturday, May 19, 5:00/8:00 PM - Semifinals

Sunday, May 20, 11:00/2:00 PM - Bronze & Gold Medal Games

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