Lacrosse Head Coach to Lead a Contingency to Japan

5/24/05 -- Long Island University head lacrosse coach Regan Teti has been selected to lead a group of student-athletes, representing NCAA Divisions I, II and III, as they participate in the 2005 International Friendship Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan from June 1-7, 2005. The International Lacrosse Friendship Games began in 1989.

In addition to LIU, the roster is made up of student-athletes from Robert Morris University, Cabrini College, Ithaca College, University of Mary Washington, Connecticut College and Shenendoah University.

LIU will be represented by rising junior Amy Rizzo, a two-time All-Northeast Conference selection. The Jackson, N.J. native finished 10th in the nation in goals scored this season, averaging 3.21 a game.

She will be joined by teammates Chrissie Carleton (Jackson, N.J.), Alexis Riley (Manassas, Va.) and Ashley Cockram (Orlando, Fla.). Carleton, a standout senior, was third on the team in goals (19) and second in assists (14) in the spring. Riley anchored a strong defensive unit, starting all 14 games in her first season as a Blackbird. Cockram also played a big role on defense in her junior year, competing in 13 contests with six starts.

“Having visited Japan five years ago, I was overwhelmed at the kindness and sense of pride surrounding Japanese culture,” Teti, a former collegiate standout at Rutgers, says. “It is extremely exciting having visited the country to now be able to coach collegiate players there, uniting the great sport of lacrosse with an amazing foreign culture opportunity.”

The tour, organized by Zag Sports, will include games against Japanese colleges, the Japanese under-20 team and the Japanese National Team. The players will also have the opportunity to stay at the home of a Japanese family as well as enjoy free time in Tokyo.