My last post ended with great anticipation for a final game, against Scotland. That game was wild. As we expected, Scotland was really gunning for a win, and I do think they stepped up their game since last we saw them. They came right out of the gate with the first goal, and a few more after that, and somehow managed to keep around a three-goal lead for most of the game.
About halfway through the second half is when things started to pick up. Coming from 6-3 deficit, each moment ticked away as we fought to close the gap. With under a minute left, the score was 7-6, Scotland. Adrenaline was pumping, fans were excited, and we weren't ready to quit just yet. At 25 seconds left, Sam Ellis ripped through the defense to sink the goal that would take Israel and Scotland to overtime. The game was not over yet.
Overtime in playoffs were the standard two three-minute periods (with no more than switching sides at half), followed by sudden death overtime, if necessary.
A Scotland goal was scored right in the first three-minute period, but a whistle for lightening at :03 left to go brought an abrupt pause (and momentum killer) to a game that kept getting more exciting by the minute. To avoid having to wait a full 30 minutes before resuming play, the officials shuffled the teams and fans into the indoor facility, where we probably spent at least 20 minutes passing around as they readied the field.
The overtime finally resumed (we actually played out those three seconds before switching sides and doing another draw), and we were eager to make the most of it. Unfortunately we received a yellow card a few minutes in, and as a result Scotland was able to secure a second goal with under a minute to go, sealing their win at the buzzer, and leaving a devastated team in blue and white on the field.
That was by far probably the hardest loss to take out of the whole tournament, for several reasons. Nevertheless, it was a hard-fought game, and we had kept our spot in the top eight, by officially finishing in 8th place due to our forfeit for the next day.
That night, and good timing, we had plans for another cookout and to hold our own Shabbat services. Before we began, the Haudenosaunee, who we would we have played in the match for 7th place on Saturday, offered to come and still do the traditional pre-(international) game gift exchange, and express their support for the stand we were taking. They ended up trading not just pins, but jerseys, which was a nice gesture on their part. Some of the team and coaches stayed to celebrate Shabbat with us - which is truly a great way to represent what something like international tournaments are about - bringing people and cultures together.
That Shabbat was probably everyone's favorite - as we read the prayers together, continued to sing songs all night, and were joined by the Swedish team (at one point holding Swedish Fish - the hilarity of that seemed to be lost on them). It was great to celebrate one more time with each other, as we know our time together was coming to an end.
On Saturday, I watched the final championship game, between USA and Canada. Unfortunately, it was a total blowout, which is no fun for a championship game. Nevertheless, congrats to Canada, as they took second place, the highest they have ever achieved in the World Cup!
Later that evening was the banquet, held by the FIL (for anyone who played sports in high school - think of your own banquets: cafeteria/gym, buffet style food (although catered, not potluck style)). Awards were handed out to members of each team, to stellar players, and the World Team was announced. However, I would say the best moment by far for me was when, after standing next to her in line at the bathroom, I found myself exiting the bathroom shortly after her, and introducing myself to Jen Adams (basically a lacrosse celeb, plays for Australia). As awkward as it was, it was really cool to meet someone you've been reading about since you were a kid and finding out they are as cool as you always hoped and imagined they would be.
That night, despite Sweden's every effort to get us to go out with them, we were content with hanging out with each other for a few more hours, complete with a flag-signing party, before making our way to pack, or sleep for a couple hours before our 3 am or 5 am shuttles. After waking up at said 5 am, and taking a short flight, I was back home in Chicago, not quite yet grasping that I was back in the real world and my trip was actually over.
Overall this trip was absolutely phenomenal, and I would say I don't have any words to describe the emotions that my team and I felt throughout those three weeks - but I clearly just wrote pages and pages about it, so I hope you have at least an inkling of how incredible this team, and this opportunity to share such an experience with them was.
Thank you to my teammates, my coaches, our trainer, our directors, and everyone who has supported us by donating to, reading about, writing to, or even just thinking about us. This trip was made by each and every one of you, and I will cherish it throughout my life.
Am Israel Chai
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