2014 World Lacrosse Championship
Tournament details | |
---|---|
Host country | United States |
Venue(s) | Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado |
Dates | July 10–19 |
Teams | 38 |
Final positions | |
Champions | Canada (3rd title) |
Runner-up | United States |
Third place | Haudenosaunee |
Fourth place | Australia |
Tournament statistics | |
MVP | Dillon Ward |
Official website | |
www | |
The 2014 World Lacrosse Championship was held July 10–19 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park outside Denver, Colorado. 38 nations played 142 games in this international men's lacrosse championship tournament organized by the Federation of International Lacrosse. Nine nations—Belgium, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Israel, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, and Uganda—all competed in the event for the first time.[1]
In the championship game on July 19, Canada captured its third gold medal by upsetting the United States 8–5 in front of 11,861 fans.[2] Canadian goalie Dillon Ward was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after he made 10 saves in the championship game, becoming the first goalie to ever receive the honor.[3]
The Iroquois Nationals finished third by defeating Australia 16–5 in the bronze medal game. It marked the first time the Iroquois earned a medal at the World Lacrosse Championship, as well as the first time the Australians failed to earn a medal since 1974.[4]
US Lacrosse, the national host, organized a lacrosse festival for boys' and men's lacrosse teams to play alongside the world championships. Players from around the world competed in 11 age divisions from U11 to 60-and-over.[5]
Pool play
[edit]For pool play, participating nations were separated into nine divisions. The countries with the top six rankings—Australia, Canada, England, Iroquois, Japan, and the United States—competed in the Blue Division, where the top two teams advanced to the semifinals and the next two teams advanced to the quarterfinals. In the other divisions, each first through fourth place teams were placed in first through fourth play-in brackets.
Blue Division
[edit]After not competing in the 2010 tournament in England due to passport issues, the Iroquois Nationals had to appeal to the FIL to play in the elite Blue Division, usually reserved for the top six teams from the previous championship. After originally placing Germany in the Blue Division, the FIL granted the Iroquois' appeal in 2013.[6]
Team USA coasted through the Blue Division games, only tested by Canada's early 3-0 lead in the opening game of the tournament. But the U.S. scored the next eight goals and ended up putting away their strongest rival 10-7. Canada also easily defeated the lower ranked teams, but needed a goal from Curtis Dickson with 19 seconds remaining to beat the Iroquois Nationals 9-8.[7]
Iroquois, Australia, Japan, and England played several close games for the right to get to the championship bracket. Japan lost a double-overtime game vs Australia but won in overtime over England.
Team | Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | 5 | 5 | 0 | 85 | 23 | +62 | Advanced to Semifinals |
Canada | 5 | 4 | 1 | 71 | 28 | +43 | |
Haudenosaunee | 5 | 3 | 2 | 64 | 50 | +14 | Advanced to Quarterfinals |
Australia | 5 | 2 | 3 | 45 | 60 | -15 | |
Japan | 5 | 1 | 4 | 41 | 91 | -50 | Advanced to 5th-8th bracket |
England | 5 | 0 | 5 | 27 | 81 | -54 |
10 July 2014 | ||
United States | 10–7 | Canada |
11 July 2014 | ||
Australia | 14–13 (2OT) | Japan |
England | 4–15 | Haudenosaunee |
12 July 2014 | ||
Japan | 9–24 | Haudenosaunee |
Australia | 7–16 | United States |
Canada | 23–3 | England |
13 July 2014 | ||
United States | 21–3 | Japan |
Haudenosaunee | 8–9 | Canada |
England | 7–10 | Australia |
14 July 2014 | ||
Japan | 3–20 | Canada |
England | 1–20 | United States |
Haudenosaunee | 12–10 | Australia |
15 July 2014 | ||
England | 12–13 (OT) | Japan |
Haudenosaunee | 5–18 | United States |
Australia | 4–12 | Canada |
Green Division
[edit]Team | Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 44 | 24 | +20 |
Italy | 3 | 2 | 1 | 40 | 28 | +12 |
Norway | 3 | 2 | 1 | 41 | 28 | +13 |
China | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 57 | -45 |
11 July 2014 | ||
Netherlands | 19–4 | China |
Italy | 14–9 | Norway |
12 July 2014 | ||
Norway | 12–11 (OT) | Netherlands |
China | 5–18 | Italy |
13 July 2014 | ||
Netherlands | 14–8 | Italy |
China | 3–20 | Norway |
Grey Division
[edit]Team | Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Czech Republic | 3 | 3 | 0 | 39 | 12 | +27 |
Poland | 3 | 2 | 1 | 40 | 17 | +23 |
Turkey | 3 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 23 | -2 |
Costa Rica | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 52 | -48 |
11 July 2014 | ||
Czech Republic | 12–3 | Turkey |
Poland | 23–1 | Costa Rica |
12 July 2014 | ||
Turkey | 7–9 | Poland |
Costa Rica | 1–18 | Czech Republic |
13 July 2014 | ||
Czech Republic | 9–8 | Poland |
Turkey | 11–2 | Costa Rica |
Orange Division
[edit]Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Israel | 3 | 3 | 0 | 55 | 8 | +47 |
Sweden | 3 | 2 | 1 | 43 | 33 | +10 |
Slovakia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 41 | -15 |
Korea | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 55 | -42 |
11 July 2014 | ||
Sweden | 4–19 | Israel |
Slovakia | 15–6 | Korea |
12 July 2014 | ||
Korea | 5–21 | Sweden |
Israel | 17–2 | Slovakia |
13 July 2014 | ||
Israel | 19–2 | Korea |
Sweden | 18–9 | Slovakia |
Plum Division
[edit]Team | Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 0 | 48 | 12 | +36 |
Wales | 3 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 17 | +9 |
Russia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 28 | -16 |
Argentina | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 35 | -29 |
11 July 2014 | ||
Wales | 10–2 | Russia |
New Zealand | 19–2 | Argentina |
12 July 2014 | ||
Wales | 11–2 | Argentina |
Russia | 5–16 | New Zealand |
13 July 2014 | ||
Wales | 5–13 | New Zealand |
Russia | 5–2 | Argentina |
Red Division
[edit]Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Germany | 3 | 3 | 0 | 53 | 8 | +45 |
Hong Kong | 3 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 42 | -16 |
Austria | 3 | 1 | 2 | 28 | 34 | -6 |
Belgium | 3 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 37 | -23 |
11 July 2014 | ||
Hong Kong | 13–12 (OT) | Austria |
Germany | 12–4 | Belgium |
12 July 2014 | ||
Austria | 2–20 | Germany |
Hong Kong | 11–9 | Belgium |
13 July 2014 | ||
Belgium | 1–14 | Austria |
Germany | 21–2 | Hong Kong |
Turquoise Division
[edit]Team | Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Finland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 55 | 4 | +51 |
Mexico | 3 | 2 | 1 | 29 | 34 | -5 |
Spain | 3 | 1 | 2 | 25 | 34 | -9 |
Colombia | 3 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 45 | -37 |
11 July 2014 | ||
Finland | 19–0 | Colombia |
Spain | 10–14 | Mexico |
12 July 2014 | ||
Colombia | 2–14 | Spain |
Finland | 18–3 | Mexico |
13 July 2014 | ||
Colombia | 6–12 | Mexico |
Finland | 18–1 | Spain |
White Division
[edit]Team | Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scotland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 61 | 16 | +45 |
Switzerland | 3 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 32 | -5 |
Latvia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 38 | -12 |
Thailand | 3 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 49 | -28 |
11 July 2014 | ||
Latvia | 5–10 | Switzerland |
Scotland | 24–3 | Thailand |
12 July 2014 | ||
Switzerland | 6–20 | Scotland |
Thailand | 11–14 | Latvia |
13 July 2014 | ||
Thailand | 7–11 | Switzerland |
Scotland | 17–7 | Latvia |
Yellow Division
[edit]Team | Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ireland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 53 | 11 | +42 |
Bermuda | 3 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 26 | +2 |
France | 3 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 33 | -12 |
Uganda | 3 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 40 | -32 |
11 July 2014 | |||
Bermuda | 9–7 | France | |
Ireland | 17–1 | Uganda | |
12 July 2014 | |||
Uganda | 5–14 | Bermuda | |
France | 5–22 | Ireland | |
13 July 2014 | |||
Uganda | 2–9 | France | |
Ireland | 14–5 | Bermuda |
Play-in brackets
[edit]Play-in games were played between the teams of all divisions except Blue.
First qualified teams
[edit]14 July | 15 July | |||||
Scotland | 9 | |||||
Finland | 6 | |||||
Scotland | 16 | |||||
New Zealand | 12 | |||||
Netherlands | 10 | |||||
New Zealand | 14 | |||||
Third place | ||||||
Finland | 7 | |||||
Netherlands | 6 |
14 July | 15 July | |||||
Germany | 9 | |||||
Czech Republic | 5 | |||||
Germany | 1 | |||||
Israel | 15 | |||||
Ireland | 9 | |||||
Israel | 18 | |||||
Third place | ||||||
Czech Republic | 10 | |||||
Ireland | 12 |
- Scotland and Israel advanced to the quarterfinals.
Second qualified teams
[edit]14 July | 15 July | |||||
Switzerland | 12 | |||||
Mexico | 3 | |||||
Switzerland | 7 | |||||
Wales | 5 | |||||
Italy | 7 | |||||
Wales | 16 | |||||
Third place | ||||||
Mexico | 10 | |||||
Italy | 18 |
14 July | 15 July | |||||
Hong Kong | 4 | |||||
Poland | 14 | |||||
Poland | 3 | |||||
Sweden | 6 | |||||
Bermuda | 4 | |||||
Sweden | 19 | |||||
Third place | ||||||
Hong Kong | 15 | |||||
Bermuda | 11 |
Third qualified teams
[edit]14 July | 15 July | |||||
Latvia | 21 | |||||
Spain | 3 | |||||
Latvia | 15 | |||||
Norway | 8 | |||||
Norway | 14 | |||||
Russia | 7 | |||||
Third place | ||||||
Spain | 6 | |||||
Russia | 11 |
14 July | 15 July | |||||
Austria | 2 | |||||
Turkey | 7 | |||||
Turkey (OT) | 6 | |||||
Slovakia | 5 | |||||
France | 6 | |||||
Slovakia | 17 | |||||
Third place | ||||||
Austria | 15 | |||||
France | 4 |
Fourth qualified teams
[edit]14 July | 15 July | |||||
Thailand | 12 | |||||
Colombia | 3 | |||||
Thailand | 15 | |||||
China | 10 | |||||
China | 9 | |||||
Argentina | 7 | |||||
Third place | ||||||
Colombia | 6 | |||||
Argentina | 13 |
14 July | 15 July | |||||
Belgium | 18 | |||||
Costa Rica | 4 | |||||
Belgium | 10 | |||||
Uganda | 4 | |||||
Uganda | 10 | |||||
Korea | 9 | |||||
Third place | ||||||
Costa Rica | 3 | |||||
Korea | 23 |
Championship bracket
[edit]After losing to the United States 10–7 in the first game of the tournament, Canada dominated the championship game. They played a deliberate, slow-down offense that is allowed under international rules, combined with strong defense, ground ball play, and goaltending.[8] Like in the first game, Canada jumped out to an early lead, 2–0 after the first quarter. Team USA managed only one goal in the first half, and only put 5 shots on net. At the half, Canada was up 3–1, with Kevin Crowley scoring all three Canadian goals. Crowley got two more in the second half to lead all scorers with 5 points. Canada played even better in the third quarter, scoring five straight goals to increase its lead to 8–2 in the first minutes of the final period. The U.S. added three goals at the end to make the final score 8–5, but they were never in the game in the fourth quarter. Tournament MVP Dillon Ward made 10 saves in goal for Canada. U.S. attackmen Kevin Leveille had three goals and Rob Pannell had three assists.[2][9]
In the third place game, the Iroquois Nationals easily defeated Australia 16–5 to earn their first medal in international men's field lacrosse. The team earned 4th place in the 1998, 2002, and 2006 tournaments but didn't compete in 2010.[10] The Thompson brothers – Jeremy, Hiana, Miles and Lyle – combined for six goals and five assists.[11]
Quarterfinals 16 July | Semifinals 17 July | Gold medal game 19 July | |||||||||||
1 | Canada | 12 | |||||||||||
3 | Scotland | 8 | Haudenosaunee | 6 | |||||||||
6 | Haudenosaunee | 10 | Canada | 8 | |||||||||
United States | 5 | ||||||||||||
2 | United States | 22 | |||||||||||
4 | Israel | 8 | Australia | 3 | Bronze medal game | ||||||||
5 | Australia | 9 | |||||||||||
Haudenosaunee | 16 | ||||||||||||
Australia | 5 | ||||||||||||
Classification brackets
[edit]5th to 8th place
[edit]Despite falling to rival England in the fifth-place game, Scotland earned its best-ever finish at the championships by placing sixth. The Scottish team defeated Japan in the previous contest, and are expected to replace the Japanese in the elite Blue Division at the next world championship tournament.[12]
Playing in its first-ever world championships, Israel very nearly duplicated Scotland's feat, twice narrowly falling in games that could have advanced the team into the Blue Division. After reaching the quarterfinals, the Israelis led Australia in the third quarter before dropping a tough 9-8 decision.[13] Then in a placement round game, Israel made a dramatic comeback to push England to overtime before suffering a 10-9 setback.[14] Israel finished seventh after defeating Blue Division squad Japan.
Play-in games 16 July | 5th to 8th place games 17 July | 5th place game 19 July | |||||||||||
1 | Scotland (2OT) | 10 | |||||||||||
3 | New Zealand | 8 | Japan | 9 | |||||||||
6 | Japan | 17 | Scotland | 13 | |||||||||
England | 15 | ||||||||||||
2 | Israel | 9 | |||||||||||
4 | Germany | 3 | England (OT) | 10 | 7th place game | ||||||||
5 | England | 15 | |||||||||||
Japan | 10 | ||||||||||||
Israel | 15 | ||||||||||||
9th to 12th Place
[edit]13th to 16th Place
[edit]13th to 16th place games 17 July | 13th place game 18 July | |||||
Finland | 15 | |||||
Netherlands | 6 | |||||
Finland | 11 | |||||
Czech Republic | 7 | |||||
Switzerland | 2 | |||||
Czech Republic | 8 | |||||
15th place game | ||||||
Netherlands | 6 | |||||
Switzerland | 9 |
17th to 20th place
[edit]Play-in games 16 July | 17th to 20th place games 17 July | 17th place game 18 July | |||||||||||
1 | Poland | 14 | |||||||||||
3 | Turkey | 3 | Italy (2OT) | 15 | |||||||||
6 | Italy | 11 | Italy | 6 | |||||||||
Wales | 18 | ||||||||||||
2 | Wales (2OT) | 16 | |||||||||||
4 | Latvia | 19 | Latvia | 15 | 19th place game | ||||||||
5 | Hong Kong | 9 | |||||||||||
Poland | 7 | ||||||||||||
Latvia | 17 | ||||||||||||
21st to 24th Place
[edit]21st to 24th place games 17 July | 21st place game 18 July | |||||
Turkey | 9 | |||||
Mexico | 4 | |||||
Turkey | 4 | |||||
Hong Kong | 10 | |||||
Hong Kong | 14 | |||||
Bermuda | 13 | |||||
23rd place game | ||||||
Mexico | 12 | |||||
Bermuda | 8 |
25th to 28th place
[edit]29th to 32nd Place
[edit]29th to 32nd place games 17 July | 29th place game 18 July | |||||
Russia | 5 | |||||
Spain | 9 | |||||
Spain | 6 | |||||
Thailand | 12 | |||||
Thailand | 14 | |||||
France | 4 | |||||
31st place game | ||||||
Russia | 7 | |||||
France | 15 |
33rd to 38th place
[edit]33rd to 36th place games 17 July | 33rd place game 18 July | |||||
Uganda | 11 | |||||
Argentina | 5 | |||||
Uganda | 7 | |||||
China | 14 | |||||
Korea | 15 | |||||
China | 16 | |||||
35th place | ||||||
Argentina | 7 | |||||
Korea | 10 |
37th place game 17 July | ||||
Costa Rica | 4 | |||
Colombia | 11 |
Final standings
[edit]Rank | Team | Div | Pld | W | L | GF | GA | GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canada | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 91 | 39 | +52 | |
United States | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 112 | 34 | +78 | |
Haudenosaunee | 3 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 96 | 75 | +21 | |
4 | Australia | 4 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 62 | 106 | -44 |
5 | England | 6 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 67 | 106 | -39 |
6 | Scotland | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 117 | 68 | +49 |
7 | Israel | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 120 | 47 | +73 |
8 | Japan | 5 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 77 | 124 | -47 |
9 | Germany | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 87 | 59 | +28 |
10 | Ireland | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 105 | 63 | +42 |
11 | Sweden | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 94 | 63 | +31 |
12 | New Zealand | 1 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 98 | 75 | +23 |
13 | Finland | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 98 | 40 | +58 |
14 | Czech Republic | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 69 | 46 | +23 |
15 | Switzerland | 2 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 63 | 67 | -4 |
16 | Netherlands | 1 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 72 | 69 | +3 |
17 | Wales | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 81 | 52 | 29 |
18 | Italy | 2 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 97 | 89 | +8 |
19 | Latvia | 3 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 113 | 81 | +32 |
20 | Poland | 2 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 78 | 59 | +19 |
21 | Hong Kong | 2 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 78 | 103 | -25 |
22 | Turkey | 3 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 50 | 55 | -5 |
23 | Mexico | 2 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 58 | 72 | -14 |
24 | Bermuda | 2 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 64 | 86 | -22 |
25 | Norway | 3 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 88 | 63 | +25 |
26 | Slovakia | 3 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 57 | 70 | -13 |
27 | Belgium | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 60 | 61 | -1 |
28 | Austria | 3 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 71 | 70 | +1 |
29 | Thailand | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 81 | 82 | -1 |
30 | Spain | 3 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 49 | 83 | -34 |
31 | France | 3 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 50 | 76 | -26 |
32 | Russia | 3 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 46 | 80 | -34 |
33 | China | 4 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 61 | 101 | -40 |
34 | Uganda | 4 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 40 | 78 | -38 |
35 | Korea | 4 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 70 | 91 | -21 |
36 | Argentina | 4 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 38 | 71 | -33 |
37 | Colombia | 4 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 28 | 74 | -46 |
38 | Costa Rica | 4 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 15 | 104 | -89 |
Awards
[edit]The following awards were given out at the end of the tournament.[3]
MVP: Dillon Ward
Outstanding Attackman: Rob Pannell
Outstanding Midfielder: Paul Rabil
Outstanding Defenseman: Tucker Durkin
Outstanding Goalie: Dillon Ward
All-World Team
[edit]Attack | Midfield | Defense | Goalkeeper |
---|---|---|---|
Paul Rabil |
The President's Team
[edit]The President's Team consisted of the following players, honored for being the top 10 players in the tournament not competing in the Blue Division.[15]
Kyle Buchanan
Ryan Licht
Matt MacGrotty
Jimmy McBride
Jordan McBride
Jonathan Munk
Kevin Powers
Ben Smith
Ari Sussman
James Van de Veerdon
See also
[edit]- Federation of International Lacrosse, the unified governing body for world lacrosse founded in 2008
- World Lacrosse Championship
- Field lacrosse
References
[edit]- ^ "Schedule Updated for FIL World Championship" (Press release). 2014 WLC. March 4, 2014. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
- ^ a b Burns, Sean (July 19, 2014). "Canada Beats USA to Capture Third World Title". LaxMagazine.com. 2014 WLC. Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ^ a b "Canada's Ward Headlines All-World Team" (Press release). 2014 WLC. July 19, 2014. Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ^ Burns, Sean (July 19, 2014). "Iroquois Dominate Australia to Reach Podium". LaxMagazine.com. 2014 WLC. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ "2014 World Lacrosse Festivals". 2014 WLC. July 19, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ^ "Back in Blue: Iroquois Nationals Will Compete in Elite Blue Division". Indian Country Today. June 13, 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ "Eight Division Winners and Canada Wins a Wild One". 2014 WLC. July 13, 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ Jiloty, John (July 19, 2014). "World Games: Day 10 — Canada Shocks U.S., Iroquois Wins First Medal". Inside Lacrosse. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ Polacek, Scott (July 19, 2014). "World Lacrosse Championship 2014: United States vs. Canada Score and Final Recap". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ "Lyle, Miles Thompson Lead Iroquois Nationals to Bronze Medal Finish in 2014 World Games" (Press release). University of Albany Great Danes. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ Vock, Casey (July 19, 2014). "Iroquois Nationals Rout Australia 16-5, Win First FIL World Championship Medal". Inside Lacrosse. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ McLaughlin, Corey (July 19, 2014). "England Holds Off Rival Scotland for Fifth". LaxMagazine.com. 2014 WLC. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
- ^ "Israel's dream run clipped by No. 3 Australia, 9-8 : Israel Lacrosse". Israel Lacrosse. July 18, 2014. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
- ^ "No. 5 England holds on for overtime win over Israel, 10-9". Israel Lacrosse. July 18, 2014. Archived from the original on August 3, 2014.
- ^ "Scotland Dominates President's Team at Worlds". July 19, 2014. Archived from the original on July 24, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
External links
[edit]- Official Website Archived 2012-01-13 at the Wayback Machine
- Federation of International Lacrosse
- Denver 2014 tag at Lacrosse All Stars