READING, Pa. – Men's lacrosse standout attackman
Joost Van der Horst is set to compete at the 2024 World Box Lacrosse Championships in Utica, New York. Van der Horst will be playing for his home country, the Netherlands. The World Box Championships run from September 20 to September 29.
WORLD BOX CHAMPIONSHIPS HOME PAGE
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FORMAT AND PROGRESSION OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
NETHERLANDS SCHEDULE
NETHERLANDS ROSTER
Box Lacrosse is different from field lacrosse with box lacrosse having only five guys on the field at one time. It is a more psychical style of lacrosse and can be compared to ice hockey.
Van der Horst wrapped up his first season at Albright in 2024 starting 15 games for the Lions. Van der Horst quickly established himself as a top attackman in the conference. In 17 total games last year, Van der Horst compiled 43 goals and 23 assists for 66 total points.
The World Lacrosse Box Championships begun in 2003 totaling five Championships to date. This years Championships are being held in Utica, New York, roughly 4.5 hours from the campus of Albright College.
Van der Horst and the Netherlands are in pool E alongside Austria, Italy and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2019, the Netherlands finished eighth at the World Lacrosse Box Championships. "We have a good shot to win our group", said Van der Horst. "Just trying to come out and play some good lacrosse and improve on the teams eighth place finish in 2019." Currently, the Netherlands are ranked eighth in the world in the Box Lacrosse rankings.
For Van der Horst, the 2024 Championships will mark the fourth total time he has suited up for his country. He made his Netherlands debut in 2021 and has played an international event with the team each year since then. Van der Horst always enjoys the opportunity to represent his home country, "My dad was a huge part of bringing the game of lacrosse to the Netherlands, so it is cool to see how the sport has grown since then. He always refers to me as the "second first generation" of lacrosse in the Netherlands. But anytime I get to represent my country and wear my nations flag on my jersey it is always special."
Netherlands and Van der Horst will begin pool play tomorrow against the US Virgin Islands at 11:30 a.m. The next game will come on Sunday (Sept. 22) against Italy with pool play wrapping up on Monday (Sept. 23) against Austria.
Sunday's game will feature familiar faces in the crowd for Van der Horst as the Albright men's lacrosse team will be at the game to see their teammate on a national stage. "It will mean a lot to have their (Albright men's lacrosse team) support when I am out there. Since I came to Albright over a year ago, the Lions lacrosse family has been nothing but great to me and for them to take the time to come and support my team and I, means the world."
Each team is guaranteed six games throughout the competition regardless of the game results. Check back here throughout the next 10 days to follow along with Van der Horst and team Netherlands.
