Ahead of the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship in Jeju, Korea in August, WL is highlighting classic matchups from past junior championships.
Heading into the 2022 World Lacrosse Men’s U21 Championship, both Australia and the Haudenosaunee had their eyes set on each other, having been placed in the same pool.
The Haudenosaunee had claimed three bronze medals in a row in the event, while Australia had finished fourth in 2016 and fifth in 2012. Australia had not beaten the Haudenosaunee in men’s competition since 2006, and the two would meet on day five of action in Limerick, Ireland.
In one of the headlining performances of the tournament so far, Australia ran out to a historic 13-7 win in its third game of pool play.
The game was tied 4-4 in the second quarter, but Australia seized control with a three-goal run into halftime. In the second half, the Haudenosaunee clawed within two, but Australia stamped the win with five of the last six goals.
Mitchell Baker was outstanding for Australia on the day with three goals and three assists while Lucas Koczwara provided the goalscoring with five tallies.
Despite the win for Australia, both teams probably had an inkling they might run into each other again, and after playoff runs to the semifinals, the stage was set for a bronze medal rematch on the final day of the championship.
This time, the Haudenosaunee definitively grabbed back the upper hand, opening the game on a 6-0 run and never looking back. The defense took over the rest of the way and never let Australia within four.
Aidan Fearn helped the Haudenosaunee dominate face-offs with 17 wins out of 19, and goalkeeper Jack VanValkenburgh made eight saves on 14 shots on goal. Trey Deere stepped up with four goals as well.
The Haudenosaunee kept their bronze medal streak intact at four in a row.
The two teams are set to meet again in Pool A in Korea, facing off on the second day of the championship, Saturday, August 16.
