LIMERICK, Ireland – Canada and the United States won their semifinals at the 2022 World Lacrosse Men’s U21 Championship to advance to the gold medal game.
In a rematch of the scintillating 2016 final, Canada will square off against the United States at 7 p.m. Irish Standard Time on Saturday, August 20. The game will be televised on ESPNU in the United States and via ESPN international platforms.
In 2016 on Canadian soil, the USA rallied from an 8-2 deficit at halftime to win 13-12, scoring the winning goal with 8 seconds remaining in the game.
Updated Schedule
Updated Bracket
In today’s semifinal action, the United States won its sixth straight game, defeating the Haudenosaunee, 10-2.
The United States advanced to the gold medal match and is one win away from its ninth championship in the event in as many appearances. It has bested Canada in the final game of the tournament in the last five editions.
Brennan O’Neill poured in four points on three goals and an assist, while Alexander Slusher added two goals and an assist. Alec Stathakis continued his tournament-best form on face-offs, winning eight of 11 to bring his overall face-off percentage to 81%. Goalkeeper Liam Entenmann made eight saves on 10 shots.
Jack VanValkenburgh made 12 saves for the Haudenosaunee and moved into second place on the tournament saves leaderboard with 69.
Canada dominated Australia in a 19-1 win and was less than 4 minutes from posting the second shutout of the tournament and tying the largest winning margin.
The win sent Canada to its sixth straight gold medal match in the event and seventh overall. The Canadians will look for their first gold medal against the United States on Saturday.
Ross Scott scored six points for the second straight game with four goals and two assists and is now tied for the third most points at the tournament with 26. Owen Hiltz also registered six points on five goals and an assist, while Brock Haley recorded four assists and now leads the tournament with 15 total. Sam English rounded out a quartet of players with four or more points with a goal and three assists.
Canadian goalkeeper Caleb Creasor saved all seven shots he faced.
Both the Netherlands and Hong Kong, China both advanced to the platinum bracket final with wins on Thursday. The two teams will meet to determine the 13th place finisher on Friday at 6 p.m. on Lax Sports Network.
The Netherlands bested Korea 13-8 behind another stellar performance from Christian Della Rocca with six goals and an assist. He continues to lead the tournament with 34 total points.
Hong Kong, China won a defensive standoff with Sweden, 6-3, to remain undefeated at the tournament. Liam Ferris had a goal, three assists and seven ground balls won.
Japan, Ireland, England and Puerto Rico all won championship consolation matches in the pursuit of fifth place.
Japan went on a 5-0 second half run to defeat Israel, 8-5. It was another balanced effort from the offense, with seven players scoring. Japan won 25 ground balls compared to 16 for Israel, led by seven from Rikuto Yokokawa.
Ireland improved to 6-1 with a 11-3 win against Germany. Kevin Somerville paced the offense with five goals while Conor Foley added two goals and two assists. Goalkeeper Joe Walsh made nine saves on 11 shots.
England scored the last eight goals of the game to coast past Jamaica, 10-2. Joshua Simpson-Pink had three goals while Daniel Madeley won 13 of 17 face-offs.
Puerto Rico posted its best scoring output of the tournament with a 19-7 win over the Czech Republic. Christian Laureano led the offensive surge with seven goals and an assist, tying the tournament-high for goals and points. Colin Baez won 19 out of 25 face-offs and ranks second in the tournament with 79 total face-off wins.
In platinum consolation, China and Wales picked up wins. China defeated Kenya, 10-2, behind five points from Dylan Hsu while Wales held off Poland, 7-5, behind hat tricks from both Owain Braddock and Aaron Eastwood.
More information can be found at WorldLacrosse.sport and WorldLax2022.com.
August 18 Results
Championship Bracket Semifinals
Canada 19, Australia 1
United States 10, Haudenosaunee 2
Championship Consolation
Japan 8, Israel 5
Germany 3, Ireland 11
England 10, Jamaica 2
Puerto Rico 19, Czech Republic 7
Platinum Bracket Semifinals
Netherlands 13, Korea 8
Hong Kong, China 6, Sweden 3
Platinum Consolation
China 10, Kenya 2
Poland 5, Wales 7
August 19 Schedule
All times Irish Standard Time. All games on Friday will be streamed by Lax Sports Network.
Championship Consolation
9:30 a.m. // Germany vs. Israel, Field 2
12:30 p.m. // Jamaica vs. Czech Republic, Field 2
3:30 p.m. // Ireland vs. Japan, Field 2
6:30 p.m. // England vs. Puerto Rico, Field2
Platinum Bracket
21st place: 12 p.m. // Uganda vs. Poland, Field 3
15th place: 3 p.m. // Sweden vs. Korea, Field 3
13th place: 6 p.m. // Netherlands vs. Hong Kong China, Field 3
Platinum Consolation
9 a.m. // Wales vs. Latvia, Field 3
