MLL 1st Round pick Karsen Leung to promote game in Asia

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jordan Wong is hoping that fellow Bellarmine University lacrosse alums Dillon Ward and Karsen Leung are as formidable of a coaching duo overseas as they were a playing duo for the Knights in the states.

Ward and Leung are set to serve as guest coaches for the Hong Kong Lacrosse High Performance Programme in a four-team tournament called the Singapore Spectacular in a trip that is expected to last from Oct. 29 through Nov. 9. They received the invitation from Wong, a past teammate of the pair with the Knights who is the Hong Kong Lacrosse Association Development Officer.

“As a former teammate of theirs, I know the value they can add to Hong Kong Lacrosse,” Wong said in a story posted on the website lacrosseplayground.com. “They are character guys with a love for the game and the generosity to give back to the sport.”

Ward is no stranger to international lacrosse. In July, the former Bellarmine All-American led Canada to the 2014 Federation of International Lacrosse World Championship in Commerce City, Colorado, while becoming the first goalie ever to capture tournament Most Valuable Player honors. There were 38 different countries that participated in the World Lacrosse Championships, including Hong Kong.

“When Team Canada practiced with Team Hong Kong in Denver, I could see how excited and eager the players were to learn more about lacrosse,” Ward said in the lacrosseplayground.com piece. “I’m very excited to be able to go there, work with them and help continue to grow the game.”

Leung said in the story that “This will be a special trip for me as it will be my first time traveling to Asia. Being half Chinese-Canadian, this trip will allow me to get in touch with my heritage and broaden my view of the world.”

Ward and Leung were both chosen in the first round of the 2013 National Lacrosse League Draft. Ward was taken third overall by the Colorado Mammoth and was one of three finalists for the league’s Rookie of the Year award after ranking fourth in the NLL in saves (592), fifth in save percentage (.773) and seventh in goals-against average (11.58). Leung was drafted 10th overall by the Calgary Roughnecks and posted 11 goals and 18 assists in 18 regular season games as a rookie.

Ward and Leung starred at Bellarmine together, entered the professional ranks together and now they will coach together overseas.

“My aim is to give the Hong Kong lacrosse players inspiration to succeed and have similar lacrosse experiences to what I’ve had throughout my career,” Leung said in the lacrosseplayground.com article. “It will be very special to meet the Hong Kong players and share my knowledge of the game with them. My hope is that it will help them enhance their skill, understanding and love of the game. In the long run, hopefully this will improve the competitiveness of Hong Kong Lacrosse at the world stage.”

via Bellarmine University – BU lacrosse alums Ward, Leung to coach together on international trip.