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Six Wings Named To Team USA Roster

March 21, 2007 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Philadelphia Wings News Release


Six members of the Philadelphia Wings will play for Team USA at the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. Philadelphia natives John Christmas (Ardmore, PA) and Kyle Sweeney (Springfield, PA) along with fellow Wings teammates Kyle Fiat, Dan Marohl, Marc Morley, and Shawn Nadelen will participate in the eight-nation tournament at the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, NS May 14-20.

"After a four month selection process, we are satisfied that the team we have assembled is both deserving of the honor as well as committed to representing the United States in Halifax," said Team USA Head Coach and former Wings' player Tom Ryan. "Indoor lacrosse has come a long way in the United States over the past decade. I am confident that this group will do everything we can to make our country proud."

Christmas, a transition player, is in his second season with the Wings and has scored five points (3G, 2A) in eight games this season. The Lower Merion High School graduate played his college lacrosse at the University of Virginia where he was member of their 2003 NCAA Championship Team.

"John has made tremendous improvement in his indoor game," said Ryan. "He understands the game well and is dangerous whenever he touches the ball."

Sweeney, a defenseman, is in his third season with the Wings after being drafted in 2003. The Springfield High School graduate played lacrosse at Georgetown University where he was an All-American in 2003. Sweeney was also a member of Team USA that captured the silver medal at the World Championships (outdoor) last summer.

"Kyle is as solid as they come," Ryan commented. "He doesn't make mistakes and his stick skills make him a threat in transition. He is a veteran of international play and is definitely someone you want representing your country."

Fiat is in his rookie season with the Wings after being signed as a free agent prior to training camp. The defenseman played two seasons at Towson University after walking on to the lacrosse team his junior year. Fiat didn't pick up a lacrosse stick until his junior year at Olympus State High School in Salt Lake City, UT where he used to sport for conditioning during the spring to keep in shape for football.

Marohl is in his fifth year with the Wings and is currently tied for the lead in team scoring with 42 points (15G, 27A). The Wings signed the UMBC graduate as a free agent on February 6, 2003 after playing a season with the Ottawa Rebel.

Morley is in his third season with the Wings and has seven points (4G, 3A) in seven games this season. He was acquired in a trade with the Anaheim Storm on December 16, 2004 and named to the NLL's All-Rookie Team in 2003 while playing for the New Jersey Storm. The University of Massachusetts graduate was an All-American in 2002.

Nadelen is in his fourth season with the Wings and sixth in the NLL. The defenseman has played for the Minnesota Swarm and the New Jersey Swarm in addition to Philadelphia. Nadelen played lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University where he was a second team All-American in 2001.

The Wings next home game is Saturday, March 24 vs. the Chicago Shamrox at the Wachovia Center at 7:30 p.m. Party packs are just $66 and include four lower level tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas. For more information call the Wings ticket office at (215) 389-WING or visit wingslax.com.

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