July 29, 2013
Tryout Pool for U.S. Men's National Team Announced
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - United States Lacrosse invited six Penn State men's lacrosse players to try out for the U.S. National Team on Saturday. The tryout, which will be held Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Goucher College in Baltimore, will help determine the final team for the 2014 Federation of International Lacrosse Championship in Denver.
Invited to the tryout is current Nittany Lion goalkeeper Austin Kaut (Morton, Pa.), one of just eight collegiate players selected. Kaut was named the Ensign Markland C. Kelly, Jr. Award for college lacrosse's most outstanding goalie.
Joining Kaut are alums Chris Schiller ('99), Greg Gurenlian ('06), Pat Heim ('07), Drew Adams ('09), Matthew Mackrides ('12). Schiller features as a short-stick defensive midfielder, Heim and Mackrides are attacking midfielders, while Gurenlian is a face-off specialist and Adams a goalie.
Schiller is attempting to make his second U.S. squad following an appearance on the 2010 edition, while the rest of the Nittany Lions are vying for their first appearance. Adams and Gurenlian took part in 2012's Duel in Denver exhibition against Canada, which was won by the Red and White, 11-9. Adams made five saves in the first half, while Gurenlian and teammate Matt Dolente won the faceoff battle, 13-11.
Collectively, 98 players were selected to participate in the tryouts. The six Penn State invitees represented the fourth-most invitees from a single university behind only Virginia, Maryland and Johns Hopkins. Another Penn State connection is head coach Jeff Tambroni, who will once again serve as an assistant for the U.S. squad. Of the 98 invitees, just 40 will be selected for the U.S. side.