The 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship enters its final day of pool play on day six, with two playoff spots available and plenty of seeding to be determined.
Israel, Italy, Japan, Ireland, Jamaica and the United States have all won their pools, and Israel, Italy and Jamaica are in action today to jostle for seeding in spots seven through ten, with Japan having wrapped up the sixth seed. Puerto Rico and Germany also sealed playoff spots yesterday as two second place teams in their pool.
The Haudenosaunee and Australia are also battling in Pool A action to determine seeds three and four. The United States have secured the first overall seed with Canada in the second playoff spot – both teams have byes to the quarterfinals on Wednesay.
Five teams remain alive for the final two playoff spots and are in action on Monday. Latvia and the Netherlands face each other in Pool F, while Wales and France battle in Pool B. The two winners will be in second place in their pools and in the playoffs, unless Hong Kong, China, defeats Mexico in Pool E and erases the goal difference deficit to catch one of the two winners.
| Team | Goal Differential | Goals Allowed |
| France | 5 | 24 |
| Netherlands | 4 | 22 |
| Wales | 1 | 24 |
| Latvia | 3 | 18 |
| Hong Kong, China | -3 | 26 |
If there is a tie on goal differential, the next tiebreaker is goals allowed.
All 12 games will be on ESPN+ in the United States.
10 a.m. PT
France vs. Wales – SDSU Rady Field
Austria vs. Italy – SDSU Wolf/Epoch Field
Jamaica vs. New Zealand – SDSU Morgan Stanley Field
France and Wales take on each other in Pool B action in one of the games that could directly send a winner to the playoffs. France is led by a high-powered attacking quartet in Justin Rosenberg, James Barlow, Alex Morghese and Kevin Betrand and also has a strong goalkeeper in Joseph Varela. Wales has a balanced attack with seven players recording three or more points after three games, led by Robert Hopkins,
Italy has already wrapped up the top spot in Pool E, but its overall goal differential matters to determine seeding among the other pool winners. It will look to keep its high-flying attack rolling against Austria, and if Italy can win by enough it can grab the seventh overall seed in the playoffs.
Jamaica is in a similar situation, having already clinched Pool D. With Jamaica’s defensive style, the team has won its three games by nine goals total, including two winning margins of two goals, so it is unlikely Jamaica will improve from the 10th seed unless another pool winner loses today. The team will still have contend with a fierce New Zealand squad that has challenged Poland and Germany and defeated Switzerland.
1 p.m. PT
Mexico vs. Hong Kong, China – SDSU Sports Deck
Netherlands vs. Latvia – SDSU Wolf/Epoch Field
Israel vs. Czech Republic – SDSU Rady Field
By the end of the 1 p.m. window, the teams in the playoff field will be decided. Hong Kong, China needs to defeat Mexico and make up goal difference, needing to win by at least four goals to have a chance at one of the last two playoff spots. It’s a tall ask for Hong Kong, as Mexico fought Scotland until the final seconds in a one goal loss and kept pace with most of the second half Italy in a four-goal defeat. Mexico can finish in second place in the group with a win, but since it has two losses already, it would miss the playoffs of the fifth best second place finisher from Pools B through F. Both teams feature exceptional athletes and the offensive race between Logan Ip and Will Cabrera should be exciting.
The Netherlands and Latvia battle in Pool F with second place on the line, and a potential playoff spot if Hong Kong does not make up goal difference. Both teams are well seasoned in what should be a tense contest that Latvia will try to play at its physical pace. The Netherlands rely on the attacking duo of Jake Bowman and Alderik van der Heyde to spark their offense, while Latvia is bolstered by goalkeeper Ryan Richters who has produced outstanding displays in goal against Ireland and Korea.
Israel has wrapped up Pool C and is competing for seeding with other pool winners. The team has reeled off impressive wins against Philippines and Puerto Rico in succession while the Czech Republic have one win against Sweden.
4 p.m. PT
Australia vs. Haudenosaunee – USD Torero Stadium
Denmark vs. Uganda – SDSU Rady Field
Peru vs. Korea – SDSU Sports Deck
Australia and the Haudenosaunee are battling for the third seed overall in the playoffs which has ramifications that could reverberate to potential semifinal matchups. The Haudenosaunee have acquitted themselves well with strong performances against the United States and Canada in the past two days, but will need to regroup quickly to hold off Australia.
Denmark and Uganda are both looking for their first win in Pool B, and the matchup should be a good opportunity for the teams to showcase their goalscoring talent.
Peru and Korea are also both looking for their first wins in Pool F, and are both coming off spirited efforts in defeat yesterday –Peru pushed Ireland into the second half while Korea led Latvia into the second half. Korea is led by Ethan Ashley in attack while Peru is led by JP Henry in attack and face-off man Chris Santangelo in midfield.
7 p.m. PT
Philippines vs. Sweden – SDSU Wolf/Epoch Field
Poland vs. Switzerland – SDSU Rady Field
Canada vs. England – USD Torero Stadium
The Philippines will try to win its second game in a row in Pool C after bouncing back from two tough losses to defeat the Czech Republic 11-4. John Dugenio is one of the players to watch for the Philippines with a 37-46 rate on face-offs so far and three goals and two assists.
Poland is also coming off a win in Pool D, an 11-7 victory over New Zealand, and will try to do it again Switzerland. Midfielder Christopher Crapanzano has been superb with eight goals total and four in the win against New Zealand.
Canada held off the Haudenosaunee in an epic battle on Sunday, and will try for its third win in a row to close pool play. Canada’s balanced attack has rounded into form with Josh Byrne, Jeff Teat and Curtis Dickson leading the way with seven points or more.
