UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Midfielder Matt Sexton (Niskayuna, N.Y.) was named to the final 23-man English National Team on Wednesday ahead of the 2014 FIL World Championships. England will compete in the Blue Division with favorites United States, Canada, Iroquois Nationals, Japan and Australia.
Sexton is among nine collegiate members of Team England ready to compete in Commerce City, Colo. this July and one of 10 midfielders selected. This past season, Sexton competed in 11 of 13 games, scoring a goal and two assists. In 2013 as a freshman, Sexton played in six games with two assists before missing much of the season with an injury.
Team England is coming off a gold medal performance in the 2012 European Championships heading into the World Championships. Sexton will travel to Manchester, England to take part in training beginning Sunday, June 8. Manchester was the host of the 2010 FIL World Championships. England will be led by head coach Matthew Bagley, a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University.
The World Championships are set for July 10-19 at Commerce City, Colo. The 10-day event features 38 teams from around the world. The top two teams from the Blue Division automatically advance to the semifinals, while the third- and fourth-place teams earn spots in the quarterfinals. Eight other division winners will compete for spots in the bracket following pool play, which takes place July 10-15.
The English open pool play on Friday, July 11 against the Iroquois Nationals at 10 p.m. ET. The Nationals will feature Penn State assistant coach Chris Doctor in a similar role for the Native American side. England then plays 2010 runner-up Canada (July 12), Australia (July 13), United States (July 14) and Japan (July 15).
Other Penn State connections to the World Championships include head coach Jeff Tambroni who will assist the U.S. side led by Richie Meade. Former players Matthew Mackrides and Drew Adams are still in the 30-man pool for spots on the final 23-man roster, which will be decided later in June