The Haudenosaunee dazzled in their debut at the 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship against England at USD Torero Stadium on Thursday, winning 18-5.
It was tied for the most goals by a team in a game in the tournament, but it was also done in style, with one highlight finish after another.
The team assisted 12 out of 18 goals, with David Jackson collecting four assists, Randy Staats notching two, and six other players adding helpers. Austin Staats was often the recipient, scoring eight goals, the most in a game so far this tournament.
“It’s always an honor to put on this jersey,” said Austin Staats. “It’s playing for my community, playing for my heritage and just trying to put a smile on the fans’ face.”
Head coach Lars Tiffany was effusive in his praise of the virtuosic display:
“It’s such a joy to be with a Haudenosaunee lacrosse player. The spirituality the game has for them – what comes off of that is also a joy from them. You can just feel this different type of energy that’s tangible.”
“What you witnessed today against England was just incredible superior stick skills,” continued Tiffany. “The advanced scoring, throwing a couple of extra fakes to make sure the goalie is out of position so the ball goes in, and somehow not toeing into the crease before the ball goes into the net.”
“It’s poetry. It’s really poetry watching the Haudenosaunee lacrosse players pass the ball around.”
Tiffany is excited about his team’s prospects, but knows his team has more to show, particularly in terms of team defense with stiff tests on the horizon against the United States and Canada in the coming days.
“This a great starting spot,” concluded Tiffany. “We know we’re facing the world’s best tomorrow and the second best the next day, so we’re going to find out very quickly how much we’ve committed, how far we’ve come, and how far we have to go.”
