(September 3, 2012)… Rochester Knighthawk Matt Vinc has been named to Team Canada’s roster for the “Duel in Denver,” which is set for Saturday, September 8th at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. Vinc is one of three current Knighthawks players that will participate in the 7:00 p.m. (MT) exhibition game between Team USA and Team Canada.

Fellow Knighthawks Joe Walters and Paul Rabil will dress for the United States, while Vinc will play for a Canadian team that includes the likes of Brodie Merrill, John Grant Jr., Mark Matthews and Geoff Snider. Team Canada will be coached by Knighthawks Hall of Famer Randy Mearns.

“Anytime you get asked to represent your country it is an honor,” said Vinc. “Especially as I start to get older, I appreciate it more because I don't know how many more opportunities I will get to wear the Canadian jersey.”

Vinc has played for Canada in the past two FIL World Championships. The St. Catharines native won gold in 2006 and silver in 2010. Playing field lacrosse allows the two-time National Lacrosse League Goalie of the Year to play a different role as a long-pole defenseman. He made the switch from goalie to defense, while playing at Division I Canisius College.

“I love playing field because I am able to get out of the net. Playing goalie requires so much mental focus rather than getting pumped up to play,” he said. “Playing defense allows me to actually have a different impact on the game, which is a nice change every once in a while.”

The event is a rematch of the 2010 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championship gold-medal game. Team USA defeated Canada, 12-10, in Manchester, England to reclaim the gold medal it lost in 2006. It serves as a prelude to the 2014 FIL World Championships, which will be hosted by US Lacrosse in Denver, July 10-19, 2014. The U.S. and Canada have met in the last four FIL World Championship games.

“Anytime Canada and Team USA play lacrosse it’s going to be a battle, and both teams want to win,” said Vinc. “The team going to Denver is really young and athletic so it will be really interesting to see how the game turns out. USA got the better of us in 2010 and we are looking to avenge that loss.”

The event will feature many of the top American and Canadian players from the 2010 FIL World Championships, and will also serve as a launching point for the selection of the training team, which will comprise the 2014 U.S. men’s national team.

General admission tickets to the “Duel in Denver” are priced at $20 and are available at www.uslacrosse.org/duelindenver.