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With the conclusion of the play-in round, the first round of the playoffs are set for Wednesday. The teams seeded fifth through eighth will take on the four winners from today’s games for the four spots in the quarterfinals.
Play-In Games: Hong Kong, China – Germany | Italy – Netherlands | Australia – Scotland | Finland – Slovakia
Pool A Games: Haudenosaunee – England | United States – Canada
Hong Kong, China – Germany
Germany secured the first win of the play-in round with a stout defensive showing to slow Hong Kong, China down for a 12-9 win.
“We said ‘arbeitssieg’ in German, that we always kept working, because they gave us a hard time and didn’t stop fighting,” said captain Patrick Schilling. “We want to win four quarters, every quarter, every shift, and just stay in the moment.”
Germany jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Hong Kong responded to tie the game in the first quarter. Germany re-established its cushion within a few minutes, and kept Hong Kong to one goal in the last 20 minutes of the first half to bring a 6-3 advantage into halftime.
The teams traded goals in the third, but Germany was able to get its attackers free enough to keep the lead at three or four, and pushed the score to 11-6 four minutes into the final frame.
Hong Kong would not go away and mounted a valiant comeback effort with three goals to cut the deficit to two with four minutes left.
But Germany’s ball control and defense stepped up once more to limit Hong Kong’s possessions, and in the final minute a turnover resulted in an empty net goal to seal the win.
“Our offense gave great forward pressure to grind their defense down, and was getting to the bench early,” said Schilling. “This is a very important part of the game now that also helps the defense get on early so we are not punished in the back.”
Julian Laux also made 38 saves to backstop Germany with an 81% save percentage. Only one player on Hong Kong had more than three points.
Kai Sontowski stepped up to boost Germany’s offense with three goals and an assist. Lasse Volquardsen, Per-Anders Olters and Paul Noring delivered as expected with three points each.
Germany advanced to the first round of the playoffs and will face the No. 5 overall seed Czechia on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
“We know them well, they know us well, and it will be a big game for us.” said Schilling. “They are moving the ball very well and we need to play physical and keep track of the ball.”
Hong Kong will face Chinese Taipei in placement play.
Italy – Netherlands
The Netherlands withstood a physical challenge from Italy to advance to the first round of the playoffs with a 20-16 win.
The two teams had a nervy and chaotic start to the first quarter, with a 5-5 scoreline after 13 minutes and the last four goals of the period all coming on power plays.
“It was a hard thing, everyone got very tense,” said the Netherlands’ Hidde Wesseler. “We just had to have faith and have everyone’s back. We kept going and in the end that’s what helped us through.”
The Netherlands scored three more followed by three for Italy, but the Netherlands was able to settle the game down late in the second period to connect on its attacking sequences and lead 11-8 at halftime.
Another three well-orchestrated Dutch power plays in the third period gave Netherlands a 15-10 lead. And in the fourth quarter, it looked like it had seized control of the game up 20-13.
“Our attack cleared its mind a bit and when we focused, we played amazing team play,” said Wesseler. “When we took some rest and played like a team, we got rolling.”
Italy put a scare into its opponent with a three goal run in the final five minutes and threatened for more, but eventually ran out of time.
The Netherlands’ star trio of Logan Schmidt (8 goals, 1 assist), Joshua Toguri (2 goals, 6 assists) and Graham Bergsma (3 goals, 4 assists) exerted its influence over the game over the course of 60 minutes. Richard Haan added four goals and an assist.
Samuel Crispo made 56 saves for Italy. Lucas Dudemaine put up six goals and two assists while Joey Lucchesi added six points.
The Netherlands, eighth-place finishers at the men’s box championship in 2019, will face the No. 8 seed Japan in the first round of the playoffs on Wednesday.
“Japan works hard. The way they play, they go all out, and we look forward to going all out too,” said Wesseler. “Win or lose we’re going to have fun, leave it all out on the field, and have a great day.”
Italy will take on Greece in placement play.
Australia – Scotland
Australia stayed undefeated in Utica with a 21-7 win over Scotland to advance from the play-in round on Tuesday into the playoffs.
Australia’s sharpshooting set of attackers were dialed in early and led Australia to a 4-0 lead and a 9-2 score after the first quarter.
“It all comes down to team-oriented play,” said Australia’s Anson Carter. “A good start always helps, as well as our stout defense and having the ball more often with winning the ball in the middle. The balls were just going in early so the start was fantastic for us.”
From there, Australia kept rolling to lead 14-4 at halftime and extend the lead through the final two quarters.
Seven different players had multiple goals for Australia and four players had five or more points. Jesse Whinnen led the way with two goals and four assists while Matt Wood, Tyler Reynolds and Marcus Arambatzis all had five points.
“We’re not going out there trying to be selfish, we’re trying to be a unit of five,” said Carter, who also had three goals and an assist. “We’re a brotherhood, we stand by each other, and we’re not here to waste any time.”
Australia outshot Scotland 65-36 and goalkeepers Lucas Deshon and Colin Jeffrey combined for 29 saves.
Chris Cowieson led Scotland with three points.
Australia will face Ireland, another undefeated team, in the first round of the playoffs on Wednesday.
“Just looking for another good hit-out, all the hit-outs so far have been really fun,” said Carter. “We’ve traveled a long way and for us, each game is super fun. Just getting together with the boys and getting things done is the main thing for us. Everything is about us as a team as we just want to play good lacrosse and enjoy the experience.”
Scotland will take on Hungary on Wednesday in placement play.
Finland – Slovakia
Finland bounced back from the end of pool play to take care of Slovakia, 20-4, in the last game of the play-in round.
“We are improving bit by bit and getting better every game,” said Finland’s Roope Jokela. “Our theme is hard work all day. I know when we are hard working there are not a lot of teams that can beat us.”
Finland’s attack was clicking from the jump, and it led 6-0 after 13 minutes and 13-3 at halftime, boosted by three goals on the power play.
“We just keep pounding our way and doing our stuff. I think we played our best game so far,” said Jokela. “Most parts of this core have been together 10 years almost. It feels like another family and its so good to be together and fight for one goal.”
Robert Raittila led the Finnish attack with nine points while Brett Kujala and Jarno Aaltonen both added seven points.
Finland outshot Slovakia 62-34 and goalkeeper Riku Jokela made 30 saves at an 88% clip.
Branislav Adam handled the majority of work in goal for Slovakia and made 35 saves.
Finland will face off against Israel in the first round of the playoffs on Wednesday, in a rematch of the fifth place game from the 2019 edition of men’s box championship in Langley.
“They are a really good team and beat us last time,” said Jokela. “We need to watch film and it will be a great lacrosse game.”
Slovakia will take on Mexico in placement play.
Haudenosaunee – England
The Haudenosaunee claimed their first win of the men’s box championship with an 18-2 victory over England at the Mary C. Winder Community Center on Tuesday.
The Haudenosaunee are the No. 3 seed in the playoff bracket and will play in the quarterfinals on Thursday. England is the No. 4 seed.
The defense for the Haudenosaunee was superb all afternoon and posted a shutout second half, while the attack found its rhythm with a balanced cast of contributors.
Five different players scored twice and nine players scored overall for the Haudenosaunee. Eli McLaughlin led the way with four goals and four assists, and Lyle Thompson and Cody Jamieson tallied five points each.
Cam MacLeod made 46 saves for England.
United States – Canada
Canada stayed undefeated at the men’s box championship with a fiercely contested 14-10 win over the United States at Mary C. Winder Community Center.
With the win, Canada finished 3-0 in pool play and secured the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs. The United States went 2-1 and took the the No. 2 seed. Both teams will compete in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
The United States was up for the challenge of trying to dethrone its rival and erased a three-goal deficit in the first half to stay at 6-6.
Even with two goals before halftime, the USA worked back to an 8-8 score in the third quarter.
But Canada just needed a few minutes of momentum, and was able to string together an unstoppable two-way run for six goals in the next 12 minutes of action for a 14-8 lead in the fourth quarter.
The United States made up two goals of the deficit, but Canada’s defense held firm for the last seven minutes for the gritty win.
Jeff Teat turned in one of the best performances of the championship with four goals and three assists. Josh Byrne’s playmaking showed up again in a big way with five assists and Dhane Smith and Shayne Jackson’s combined nine points played a role as well.
Christian Del Bianco was solid in net with 36 saves, including 10 in both of the third and fourth quarters.
The United States had three players record two goals in Joe Resetarits, Blaze Riorden and Joey Spallina in one of the best efforts the program has summoned against its rival in men’s box.
Galleries: HKG-GER | ITA-NED | AUS-SCO | FIN-SVK | HAU-ENG | USA-CAN
Hong Kong, China – Germany Gallery
Italy – Netherlands Gallery
Australia – Scotland Gallery
Finland – Slovakia Gallery
Haudenosaunee – England Gallery
United States – Canada Gallery
