The 2018 FIL Men’s Lacrosse World Championship took place this summer in Netanya, Israel from July 11-July 21. Across 10 exciting days, a total of 46 nations competed for the championship title, making the 2018 tournament the largest of all-time. Among those competing nations were Australia and Puerto Rico—and wearing those nations’ jerseys were two of Trinity-Pawling’s very own. Ryan Spark ’06 was in the goal for Australia; Tomas Rodriguez ’15 played defense for Puerto Rico.
“The experience was unreal,” shared Rodriguez. “I never thought I’d be playing lacrosse at the international level and representing Puerto Rico was such an honor.” Rodriguez earned his spot on the roster for the Puerto Rican national team last year. A defenseman in his junior year at Pace University at the time, Rodriguez also had 2 years of Division 1 lacrosse at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) under his belt. He was one of 23 players selected for the Puerto Rican national team.
“Playing for Puerto Rico was completely different from playing for a school or a town,” Rodriguez explained. “23 of us were representing thousands of people. We weren’t just playing for ourselves—we were playing for all those who played before us and anyone who will play after us. We received support from the entire island and it was incredible. That feeling is something that I’ll always carry with me whenever I suit up.”
While in Netanya, Rodriguez heard from Trinity-Pawling faculty member and Athletic Trainer Emily Tucci. “Mrs. Tucci is the best!” Rodriguez began. “She reached out to wish me luck and put me in touch with a T-P alum who played for Australia—Ryan Spark ’06.” The next day, after his game against the Iroquois, Rodriguez noticed Australia taking the field to warm up. “I ran over to the goal and asked the guys if any of them went to Trinity-Pawling. The smile on Ryan’s face was a dead giveaway.”
Though the two players had never before crossed paths, Rodriguez felt an instant connection. “That’s what T-P does for you. It builds this incredible brotherhood and support system. There’s nothing like it,” he shared.
Both Rodriguez and Spark finished in the Top 10 at the World Championship. Australia finished fourth overall. Puerto Rico finished eighth, with wins against Japan and Germany, and made history as the first-ever first year program in the tournament to make it to the Top 10. And to top it all off, both Spark and Rodriguez were able to meet on the world stage and realize just how far the Trinity-Pawling brotherhood goes. “The entire tournament was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” concluded Rodriguez. “I consider myself so lucky.”