Silberlicht Reflects on World Championship Journey with Latvia
August 17, 2018 | Men's Lacrosse
by Kevin Edelson
Throughout the collegiate lacrosse world, coaches are busy throughout the summer finding the next generation of players for their respective squads.
This summer was much more unique for assistant coach Max Silberlicht, however, as it provided him an opportunity to inspire the next generation of players for a country 4,000 miles away. Silberlicht was Latvia's head coach at the 2018 FIL World Lacrosse Championships, hosted in Netanya, Israel, this past July.
Silberlicht, who has served as head coach of the Latvian National Team since the winter of 2016, guided Latvia to an 18th-place finish at this year's tournament after finishing 19th four years ago.
"Our expectations were to be a top-15 team," Silberlicht said. "That was an attainable goal but it was also a goal that wasn't a guarantee."
Latvia won its first two games against Mexico and Greece to advance out of the group stage for the first time in the program's history. Latvia then dropped a contest against a strong Ireland squad. While Ireland escaped with a victory, Silberlicht was proud of the way his group played, particularly in the second half.
"We played them really, really well in the second half of a game that was on ESPNU, which was really cool for my guys," Silberlicht said. "When we started playing our style of lacrosse in the second half, by the end of the game, Ireland didn't want to be on the field with us anymore. They were hanging on. They went on to have a really good tournament as well, which was cool for them and cool for us to show that we could compete with that kind of team."
Latvia went 3-2 during the rest of the tournament, including a hard-fought 10-9 loss to rival Norway, a team the Latvians had defeated earlier in the tournament by a goal, in the 17th-place game.
"I was really proud of the waythat the guys represented Latvia," Silberlicht said. "They played hard. They took the tournament as seriously as a World Championship should be taken. They represented themselves, their supporters, their families and the program really well."
While Latvia may not have achieved its pre-tournament goal, these World Championships had even more meaning beyond the games themselves. Surrounded by family and friends, Silberlicht's return to Israel was filled with a multitude of positives.
"This was my third time in Israel," Silberlicht said. "My favorite part of going back was that it was a family affair. My brother was captain of Team Israel. My mother and father were both there for the entire tournament. My girlfriend came over for the first six days and one of my best friends from high school came over for the first six days. I actually adopted him as one of my assistant coaches. He helped us on the sidelines and helped me think through some things. It was really cool to have all that family around."
Not only was Silberlicht able to connect with his family and friends during the tournament, but he also became even more connected with the country he coaches. Silberlicht is not Latvian, but after eight years with the program, a real bond has grown between Silberlicht and his players.
"I've become more bought in to the guys, the program and the family that is Latvia Lacrosse," Silberlicht said. "I feel connected to the people and the stories that are Latvia Lacrosse. It's something that is engrained in me. I've been roped in tighter and tighter every year."
"After our last game, all the guys got together and we reflected a little bit about our time in Netanya. One of the things that really stood out to me was that the American players talked about how inclusive the group was. They were grateful that the Latvians took them in. One of the Latvians stepped up and said, 'You guys aren't Americans anymore. You're Latvians.' That was really neat. Everyone echoed that."
That inclusiveness will prove even more important as Silberlicht works to get the team ready for the 2020 European Championships in Poland. Latvia needs to play well there in order to qualify for the next World Championships in 2022.
"I'm a big believer in one step at a time and little wins," Silberlicht said. "We have to continue to develop as a program and a team to look toward that European Championships and earning a qualifying spot."
Some of those little wins will hopefully come off the field in the build-up to 2020, as Silberlicht and the leaders of Latvia Lacrosse work to continue growing the game, and in doing that, improving the program.
"That starts with sending emails to donors who helped support us in Israel and it starts with figuring out how to develop a youth movement in Lativa," Silberlicht said.
"We had a few young guys on our team. We had two guys that are going to be playing for the U-19 team next summer, so hopefully they can drag their friends in and talk about the experience. There's one club team in Latvia called the Riga Griffins that are doing a great job with the youth development. They're doing a great job with the 10-15 age demographic. The other two club teams need to do the same. That just takes effort, whether it's a Saturday clinic or going to a high school once a month just to put a stick in somebody's hand."
Lacrosse is still a relatively new game in Latvia, which means a grassroots effort is essential in order to keep up any momentum gained through the exposure received during the World Championships.
"I think one of the things the tournament did really well was coverage," Silberlicht said. "Every single game was webcasted. I know a lot of Latvia supporters were watching. Hopefully our guys can bring it back and show it off."
"It's such an unknown in Latvia. Getting equipment, getting a stick is really hard to do. Our guys got two new sticks at the tournament. Hopefully they pass along their old one to a younger person. They need to give back to the game as much as it has given them."
Silberlicht will rely on his colleagues in Latvia to help maintain any momentum Latvia has after its performance in Netanya. He'll also look to keep his own momentum going as a coach as he gets set for his second season as an assistant with the Terriers.
"It was really cool being a head coach," Silberlicht said. "It was the second time I had been a head coach of these guys and first time in a major tournament. Thinking through big messaging and motivational factors that come with being a leader was a great experience."
Not only will Silberlicht be able to draw on his journey in Netanya while he continues his career, but he hopes that he can bestow some lessons and advice onto the Terriers as they begin the program's sixth season.
"I want to bring a toughness factor back to BU," Silberlicht said. "That toughness factor, that passion for the game is something I bring back every time I leave an opportunity with Latvia. These guys don't play because they're in college or because they have a scholarship. They don't play to get their name in the paper. They play because they love being around each other. They love the sport and they love competing. They love representing Latvia."
"It's really neat to be around that type of passion. Every time I leave, I'm refreshed and I remember and reflect on why I'm involved with and so passionate about the game of lacrosse."
Throughout the collegiate lacrosse world, coaches are busy throughout the summer finding the next generation of players for their respective squads.
This summer was much more unique for assistant coach Max Silberlicht, however, as it provided him an opportunity to inspire the next generation of players for a country 4,000 miles away. Silberlicht was Latvia's head coach at the 2018 FIL World Lacrosse Championships, hosted in Netanya, Israel, this past July.
Silberlicht, who has served as head coach of the Latvian National Team since the winter of 2016, guided Latvia to an 18th-place finish at this year's tournament after finishing 19th four years ago.
"Our expectations were to be a top-15 team," Silberlicht said. "That was an attainable goal but it was also a goal that wasn't a guarantee."
Latvia won its first two games against Mexico and Greece to advance out of the group stage for the first time in the program's history. Latvia then dropped a contest against a strong Ireland squad. While Ireland escaped with a victory, Silberlicht was proud of the way his group played, particularly in the second half.
"We played them really, really well in the second half of a game that was on ESPNU, which was really cool for my guys," Silberlicht said. "When we started playing our style of lacrosse in the second half, by the end of the game, Ireland didn't want to be on the field with us anymore. They were hanging on. They went on to have a really good tournament as well, which was cool for them and cool for us to show that we could compete with that kind of team."
Latvia went 3-2 during the rest of the tournament, including a hard-fought 10-9 loss to rival Norway, a team the Latvians had defeated earlier in the tournament by a goal, in the 17th-place game.
"I was really proud of the way
While Latvia may not have achieved its pre-tournament goal, these World Championships had even more meaning beyond the games themselves. Surrounded by family and friends, Silberlicht's return to Israel was filled with a multitude of positives.
"This was my third time in Israel," Silberlicht said. "My favorite part of going back was that it was a family affair. My brother was captain of Team Israel. My mother and father were both there for the entire tournament. My girlfriend came over for the first six days and one of my best friends from high school came over for the first six days. I actually adopted him as one of my assistant coaches. He helped us on the sidelines and helped me think through some things. It was really cool to have all that family around."
Not only was Silberlicht able to connect with his family and friends during the tournament, but he also became even more connected with the country he coaches. Silberlicht is not Latvian, but after eight years with the program, a real bond has grown between Silberlicht and his players.
"I've become more bought in to the guys, the program and the family that is Latvia Lacrosse," Silberlicht said. "I feel connected to the people and the stories that are Latvia Lacrosse. It's something that is engrained in me. I've been roped in tighter and tighter every year."
"After our last game, all the guys got together and we reflected a little bit about our time in Netanya. One of the things that really stood out to me was that the American players talked about how inclusive the group was. They were grateful that the Latvians took them in. One of the Latvians stepped up and said, 'You guys aren't Americans anymore. You're Latvians.' That was really neat. Everyone echoed that."
That inclusiveness will prove even more important as Silberlicht works to get the team ready for the 2020 European Championships in Poland. Latvia needs to play well there in order to qualify for the next World Championships in 2022.
"I'm a big believer in one step at a time and little wins," Silberlicht said. "We have to continue to develop as a program and a team to look toward that European Championship
Some of those little wins will hopefully come off the field in the build-up to 2020, as Silberlicht and the leaders of Latvia Lacrosse work to continue growing the game, and in doing that, improving the program.
"That starts with sending emails to donors who helped support us in Israel and it starts with figuring out how to develop a youth movement in Lativa," Silberlicht said.
"We had a few young guys on our team. We had two guys that are going to be playing for the U-19 team next summer, so hopefully they can drag their friends in and talk about the experience. There's one club team in Latvia called the Riga Griffins that are doing a great job with the youth development. They're doing a great job with the 10-15 age demographic. The other two club teams need to do the same. That just takes effort, whether it's a Saturday clinic or going to a high school once a month just to put a stick in somebody's hand."
Lacrosse is still a relatively new game in Latvia, which means a grassroots effort is essential in order to keep up any momentum gained through the exposure received during the World Championships.
"I think one of the things the tournament did really well was coverage," Silberlicht said. "Every single game was webcasted. I know a lot of Latvia supporters were watching. Hopefully our guys can bring it back and show it off."
"It's such an unknown in Latvia. Getting equipment, getting a stick is really hard to do. Our guys got two new sticks at the tournament. Hopefully they pass along their old one to a younger person. They need to give back to the game as much as it has given them."
Silberlicht will rely on his colleagues in Latvia to help maintain any momentum Latvia has after its performance in Netanya. He'll also look to keep his own momentum going as a coach as he gets set for his second season as an assistant with the Terriers.
"It was really cool being a head coach," Silberlicht said. "It was the second time I had been a head coach of these guys and first time in a major tournament. Thinking through big messaging and motivational factors that come with being a leader was a great experience."
Not only will Silberlicht be able to draw on his journey in Netanya while he continues his career, but he hopes that he can bestow some lessons and advice onto the Terriers as they begin the program's sixth season.
"I want to bring a toughness factor back to BU," Silberlicht said. "That toughness factor, that passion for the game is something I bring back every time I leave an opportunity with Latvia. These guys don't play because they're in college or because they have a scholarship. They don't play to get their name in the paper. They play because they love being around each other. They love the sport and they love competing. They love representing Latvia."
"It's really neat to be around that type of passion. Every time I leave, I'm refreshed and I remember and reflect on why I'm involved with and so passionate about the game of lacrosse."
If you would like to support the Latvian men's national team, you can donate here or reach out to Coach Silberlicht directly.
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