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22 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, May 5, 2011 Cregan, Matthews off to Prague By EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer Two Georgetown residents are headed to the Czech Republic for the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships later this month and neither will be wearing Canada's red and white. Michael Cregan, 22, is the starting goaltender for the Irish national squad, while 47-year-old Brent Matthews will serve as an assistant coach for the Australian entry set to play in the eight-team world tourney May 21-29 in Prague. Both men represented those countries at the 2007 worlds in Halifax and are hoping to improve on their standing this time around, even though the two teams are relative newcomers to the indoor game. Australia, which doesn't have a single indoor lacrosse facility in the country, placed sixth in Halifax, while the Irish didn't win a game. "We're much stronger than 2007 and we're going to give Brent's team a run for their money," predicted Cregan, whose team plays Iroquois Nation, the U.S. and Czech Republic in the preliminary round. "We actually have an exhibition game against Australia in Paradubice on the 18th and we're really looking forward to it to see how we stack up against them." The average age of the Aussie team is 32 and there is an organized league in existence, but most of their experience is in field lacrosse and approximately 95 per cent of the team is native to Down Under, with Ireland drawing several players from North America with bloodlines to the Emerald Isle. "It's an interesting team because when we started in 2003, (Australia) really didn't play indoor, but they're great in field-- usually anywhere from fourth to second in the world-- but when you get into box lacrosse, it's quite a bit different, so that's why they brought us in," said Matthews, an Elmira native who played his box lacrosse in Elora. "Sometimes when the ball gets thrown out of bounds, they don't go far after it because they don't want to go where the crocodiles are. I didn't believe them at first, but they're used to it." Cregan, who spent four years with the Halton Hills Jr. B Bulldogs and is now with Centre Wellington-Dufferin Sr. B, has already been in Prague for the past couple of weeks as he played goal for the Dublin Riggers' men's club team that took part in the an- SPORTS & LEISURE nual Ales Hrebesky Memorial tournament. Cregan's dad Martin coached the Irish squad to its best-ever fifth-place result at the tournament, which was won by a Canadian side called Love You To Death, headed up by longtime Toronto Rock star Jim Veltman. Leading the Riggers in scoring with six goals and three assists at the Prague tourney was local resident Adam McGourty, who won't be competing at the worlds. Ireland's bench boss is Jeff Dowling of Ancaster, also coach of the NLL's Calgary Roughnecks. Strangely enough, Dowling played for Matthews's dad Vern with the Fergus Thistles as they claimed several Sr. B titles. "This year we've got really good coaches," added Cregan, who is selling Team Ireland t-shirts at $25 apiece to help cover his expenses for the trip. "You could see the difference in the tryouts. Everything was more organized and the progression from day one to day three really picked up." Australia's preliminary round draw consists of games against Canada, England and Slovakia. The Canucks captured the first two world indoor championships, in '03 and '07, while England beat Australia in the quarterfinals in Halifax 15-11, with NLL star Lewis Ratcliff netting 14 points for the winning side. "We actually scored the first goal against Canada and were leading 1-0, but of course they turned it on and before you knew it, it was 8-1," Matthews recalled. "It was close with England and we played well, but Ratcliff can score from anywhere. If we finished fourth this time, that would be realistic. Third would be the ultimate, but we'll see how it all works out. The Czechs should be pretty tough and I think Iroquois is going to be the wild card." Acton native Sandy Chapman, who now resides in Burlington and continues to shine on defence for the NLL's Toronto Rock, has been selected to Team Canada for the upcoming tourney in Prague. Synchro showcase Halton Hills Synchronized Swimming member Catie Mercer is boosted into the air by her teammates during a recent performance. The club is hosting its 17th-annual year-end showcase at the Georgetown Indoor Pool on Saturday, May 14 beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7.50 each or $25 for a group of four. The HHSS club is looking for new members for the 2011-12 season, which begins in September. For more info, email hhsynchro@gmail.com or contact Miranda Kohler at 905-873-6274. Submitted photo Four locals finish marathon Four Georgetown residents completed the 115th running of the Boston Marathon last month and all finished in roughly the top half of the field of over 24,000 entrants. Marylou Corino, 32, finished the winding 26.2mile course in a time of three hours, 30 minutes and 16 seconds, the 1,421st female to cross the finish line, 7,744th overall. Forty-one-year-old James Warnock placed 1,353rd in his age group and 7,861st overall in 3:30:40. Mark T. Rush, 54, was 965th in his division and 11,080th in the field in a time of 3:41:58, with Dave C. Scott, 46, placing 12,421st overall. NEXT GENERATION Michael Cregan (left) will be the starting goaltender for the Irish national squad, while 47-year-old Brent Matthews will serve as an assistant coach for the Australian entry at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. Photo by Eamonn Maher LEASE FOR 2012 Civic. There's one for you. NEXT GENERATION N $ 250 @ 3.99 APR per month for 48 months % ** 2012 CIVIC SEDAN* 2 2012 CIVIC COUPE* $ 0 Down *** Security Deposit ** On approved credt OAC, payment plus HST due on delivery. ***First Payment plus applicable taxes. Model No. FB2E2CEX www.georgetownhonda.ca Serving Georgetown for over 30 years! *Not Exactly as shown 316 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-873-1818 905-874-3021 HONDA