Garden City Natives Headed to Finland on U.S. U19 National Lax Team

Garden City natives Stephen Jahelka and Sean Mahon will play for the U.S. national team this week in Finland for the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Under-19 World Championships.

Jahelka, a defenseman, graduated from Garden City High School in 2011 where he was a two-time US Lacrosse All-American.

Mahon, a midfielder, graduated from Chaminade in 2011 where he was an Under Armour All-American as a senior.

Both players just completed their freshman year at Harvard University on the school's D-I lacrosse team.

Jahelka started 11 of 14 games for Harvard, led the team in caused turnovers (17) and tied for second on the team with 33 ground balls. He, along with goalie Zach Oliveri and midfielder Rob Zoppo, were voted captains of the U.S. team by their teammates on Saturday.

According to LaxMagazine.com, the U.S. is 36-0 all-time in international play since the U19 World Championships were sanctioned in 1988, according to LaxMagazine.com. The U.S. has won gold medals at all six world championships.

The U19 team defeated the Long Island All-Stars 12-4 back on June 16 before suffering a 15-14 loss to the Eastern Pennsylvania All-Stars on June 23. The U.S. defeated the New Jersey All-Stars  9-4 on July 1.

The 12 countries participating in the world championships are Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, England, Finland, Germany, Iroquois, Korea, Netherlands, Scotland, the United States and Wales.

The U.S. team will kick off their tournament against Australia on July 13 at 7 p.m. (12 p.m. EST). They will then play Canada on July 14 at 7 p.m., England on July 15 at 7 p.m. and the Iroquois Nationals on July 17 at 1 p.m. (6 a.m. EST).