Downing named to U.S. Indoor National Lacrosse Team | Press Releases

Fairfield great will represent U.S. at 2011 World Indoor Championship.

Image: Greg Downing Fairfield University men's lacrosse great Greg Downing has been selected to the U.S. Indoor Lacrosse Men's National Team. Downing was one of 18 players named to the squad by U.S. Indoor Lacrosse and will participate at the 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in Prague, Czech Republic in May.

"The chance to represent the United States at this elite level is the ultimate honor in lacrosse," said USIL President and GM Graham D'Alvia. "I am honored and look forward to the opportunity to further develop this team that will represent our great country in this sport, both on and off the turf."

Downing is making his first national team appearance. He currently is on the roster of the Boston Blazers of the National Lacrosse League, which begins its season on January 15, and also plays for the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse. Downing finished last season with 17 points, four goals and 13 assists, and 95 loose balls.

Downing is the Stags only multi-time All-America selection, earning Honorable Mention accolades in each of his final three seasons. He finished his career with 101 goals, fourth all-time, having scored 20 or more goals in each of his four seasons. He ranks among the top-10 in Fairfield history with 141 points and 40 career assists. Downing was the first player in program history to be selected in the MLL Collegiate Draft in 2007. He was the first pick, sixth overall, of the LA Riptide.

"This is a great honor for Greg," said Fairfield head men's lacrosse coach Andy Copelan. "To have the opportunity to represent your country at a World Championship event is tremendous. All of us associated with Fairfield lacrosse are excited for him, and look forward to him representing the United States, and the Stags, at the highest level."

The 2011 National Team includes four members of the 2007 National Team that finished third in Halifax, Nova Scotia: Scott Ditzell, Erik Miller, Chris Schiller and Matt Zash. The roster was narrowed down following three tryout/exhibition weekends held in Wayne, NJ, Syracuse, NY and Baltimore, MD.

Newcomers such as Brian Langtry, Brendan Mundorf, Casey Powell, Paul Rabil and Drew Westervelt help comprise the most offensively potent Team USA to participate in the World Indoor Championships, while Eric Martin, John Orsen and Max Seibald headline the additions on the defensive side.

The World Indoor Lacrosse Championship takes place at Telsa Arena in Prague, Czech Republic on May 21-28, 2011. Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, England, Finland, Ireland and the Iroquois Nationals will join the United States in the one-week tournament.