Prague Bound: Bullard, Cryer, & Kahoe Set For FIL World Cup

DURHAM, N.C. ? A month after helping the Duke women's lacrosse team to a 15-6 overall record, a final regular-season ranking of No. 5, and a berth in the NCAA Championships Elite Eight, Caroline Cryer and Sarah Bullard are set to continue their lacrosse seasons on the international stage as they represent the United States in the 2009 FIL World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic.

Cryer and Bullard ? along with 2006 Blue Devil graduates Katie Chrest and Megan Huether ? are a part of the 18-member U.S. squad that opens play this Thursday, June 18, against England. On Friday, the team squares off against Canada, followed by matches versus Japan on June 20 and Australia on June 22. The 22nd marks the last day of the round robin pool play that determines the quarterfinal seedings.

The gold medal game, as well as the bronze medal game, at both set to be played on Saturday, June 27.

Bullard and Cryer are two of just six collegiate players included on the 2009 U.S. roster, while Bullard is the youngest player in the team's history.

Additionally, Duke assistant coach Alex Kahoe ? and a former All-America goalkeeper at the University of Maryland ? is making her World Cup debut with Ireland. The Irish team opens play in Pool C on Thursday.

The U.S. squad is looking to return to its winning ways, after its streak of four consecutive World Cup titles was snapped in 2005 after a 14-7 loss to Australia. Previously, the team won the championship in 1989, 1993, 1997, and 2001 in addition to the inaugural game in 1982.

Cryer finished the 2009 college season leading the squad in both points (83) and assists (38), and scored 45 goals on the year. She added 50 draw controls, 17 ground balls, and 12 caused turnovers for a Duke team that participated in its 12th straight NCAA Championships. The season saw All-America, All-Region, All-ACC, and All-ACC Tournament honors for the Colorado native.

Bullard netted 39 goals and added seven assists for 46 points this season, and led all field players in ground balls with 31 while causing 20 turnovers. She scored one of her three game-winning goals with just 11 seconds left in Duke's 13-12 victory over Virginia March 28. She earned All-America honors for the first time in her career in 2009, adding to her All-Region, All-ACC, and All-ACC Tournament accolades.

Chrest and Huether each graduated in 2006 after leading the Blue Devils to back-to-back Final Fours in 2005 and 2006. Chrest is still the Duke record-holder for career goals (216), career points (287), career shots (528), season points (96), season shots (162), and goals in a game (seven).

Keep up with the action at the World Cup page, and check back on GoDuke.com for blog updates from the Duke players!

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