World Lacrosse is celebrating five of the best international lacrosse games in 2024 to close out the year.
In the men’s box championship, the U.S. had taken bronze in the past five editions of the event before 2024 while the Haudenosaunee had taken silver, but the United States had signaled its intentions for a different script by winning in pool play, 16-9.
By the time the two met again in the semifinals, the Haudenosaunee had rounded into form and looked set on keeping their streak intact against the best United States team the program had brought to the championship.
In front of a charged atmosphere at the Adirondack Bank Center on a Friday night, the teams treated fans to a start-to-finish nail-biter that featured the highest levels of shotmaking and athleticism in box lacrosse and one of the sport’s most memorable fourth quarters, down to a last-second fingertip save.
The United States led first at 2-0 and 4-3 with a minute left in the first quarter, but the Haudenosaunee was a step ahead the rest of the way. They were on the leading swing of the pendulum up 6-4, 8-7, 9-8, and ultimately, 11-9 with nine minutes to go, with Lyle Thompson’s hypnotic swim move giving his team an emphatic edge in the closing stretch.
But the United States pulled off a monumental fourth quarter comeback with a goal from Joey Spallina to tie the game less than 90 seconds after going down two goals.
The teams traded nervy possessions but in a moment of transition, Connor Kirst slowed himself down to wind up and uncork a laser for a go-ahead goal with five minutes to play.
The Haudenosaunee had their chances in the final minutes to tie the game, and had a fast break opportunity whistled for an illegal substitution, forcing the team to play four-on-five for two minutes with the game clock reading 2:04.
With just over 30 seconds left, the Haudenosaunee pulled their goalkeeper for a make-or-break five-on-five opportunity. Lyle Thompson parted the defense and found himself alone in front of the net, but Gowah Abrams came up with a clutch save to preserve the lead.
Spallina, the United States’ youngest player, led the team with three goals and an assist in a gutsy performance with two of his goals tying the game.
Connor Kirst finished with two goals and Jack Hannah and Joe Resitarits posted two goals and two assists.
The United States went on to take the silver medal, its best-ever finish in the competition while the Haudenosaunee finished with a bronze after a win against England.
