The Iroquois Nationals team traveled out to Coquitlam, B.C. to compete in the 2008 Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships. The Nationals ended the round robin portion of the tournament with a 3-2 record. The Nationals defeated Team Japan (27-9), Team England (21-16) and Team Australia (17-14). The Iroquois Nationals lost to Team USA (20-15) and to Team Canada (15-12).
The Iroquois Nationals then defeated Team Scotland (28-2) in the first round of the playoffs setting up a rematch with Team Canada to see who would play for the gold medal. The Canadians defeated the Nationals (23-12) in a hard fought game. The Iroquois Nationals then ended the tournament on a high note by defeating Team England (19-10) earning a bronze medal.
This is the second time in the history of the Iroquois Nationals that the team has earned an international medal. The Nationals are comprised of members from the Haudenosaunee. The Haudenosaunee founder and Onondaga Nation Faithkeeper Oren Lyons debated with the International Lacrosse Foundation to recognize the Haudenosaunee as a separate Nation to compete as equals on an international forum. The 1990 games were the first games to see the Iroquois Nationals represented on an international stage.
Congratulations to all of the Iroquois Nationals including those from the Onondaga Nation including:
James Cathers
Dalton Powless
Aaron Printup
Lyle Thompson
Miles Thompson