Bringing home the bronze

The CNY Elite Lacrosse Club earned third place in the U18 International Festival of Lacrosse at Edinburgh, Scotland, last month. But the 24 girls from the Cicero-North Syracuse, Baldwinsville, Liverpool and Jordan-Elbridge school districts have brought back more than just a bronze medal — they’ve returned with new friends and new memories, too.

Players and parents alike called the chance to compete at the international level — and see some of Europe’s most historic landmarks — a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

CNY Elite was one of 16 teams hailing from the United States, England, Scotland, Wales and Israel to participate in the U18 International Festival of Lacrosse July 28 through 31. The U18 invitational festival only occurs every four years.

“It’s not something big over there,” said Baldwinsville defender Lexi Dardaris of the European lacrosse world.

“When we played different countries, it was easier because they weren’t as developed as us. When we got to U.S. teams, it was good competition,” said B’ville midfielder/attacker Glory Johnson.

CNY Elite routed English private school team Lady Eleanor Holles 12-0 in their first faceoff.

“We came out super strong,” said Coach Dan Knoblock. “I think we shocked them.”

Despite the lack of popularity for the sport on the continent, CNY Elite’s girls faced some fierce competition. B’ville defender Abbey Dakoske said what Israeli players lacked in finesse, they made up for in aggression.

“We came in with a different attitude,” Dakoske said. “We thought we were going to win [against Israel], but we didn’t.”

“I think they surprised us,” Knoblock said, adding that Israel defeated CNY Elite 5-2 in the third game CNY Elite played. “All of the scores were really competitive, even some of the games we weren’t in.”

“It was a good experience to go to a different country and see how others play,” said Lexi Fietta, Jordan-Elbridge attacker.

“They didn’t give up, even when they were losing,” Dardaris said.

Knoblock recalled some of the “ups and downs” of the tournament and highlighted an “underdog” moment against England in the quarterfinals, when CNY Elite had a free position shot.

“The goalie saved it and couldn’t handle it and it trickled in behind,” Knoblock said. “That was a tremendous high for every one of the kids.”

The trip wasn’t all work for the girls. Prior to the competition, the team got to do some sightseeing in Scotland and England, where they climbed the Tower of London and toured Buckingham Palace.

“This is a team that really hadn’t played together. We had four practices before going,” Knoblock said. “Spending time in London for a few days prior helped to build some team camaraderie.”

“We definitely bonded,” Dardaris said.

“I think they developed a relationship with kids they wouldn’t normally have, with the four schools,” said Shawn Halpin, whose daughter, Brittany, is a midfielder at Liverpool.

In addition to growing closer to their teammates, the CNY Elite players made a few international friends. Dakoske’s family hosted a handful of English players for a tournament in Baldwinsville recently.

“It was nice to be able to see them again,” Dakoske said.

Since the U18 invitational festival only occurs every four years, it truly was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the CNY Elite players.

“For all of the girls to enjoy what they do and play on a world stage, ‘proud’ is the only word that comes to mind,” said Terri Gilbert, whose daughter, Lauren, is a goalkeeper for Cicero-North Syracuse High School. “You think of little Central New York playing globally — it’s just awesome.”

Members of CNY Elite: