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Games: Germany – Ireland | Netherlands – U.S. Virgin Islands | Puerto Rico – Australia | United States – Haudenosaunee
Germany – Ireland
Ireland outlasted Germany, 7-5, in the first game of the 2024 World Lacrosse Men’s Box Championship in Pool G action.
Patrick Corbett scored the very first goal of both box championships in Utica. Brian Gillis led Ireland with two goals and two assists.
Both teams were neck and neck with each other throughout the contest. Ireland received crucial fourth quarter goals from Brendan O’Sullivan and Luke Coppinger to keep Germany from cutting the lead to one.
Devlin Shanahan was outstanding in net for Ireland with a 90% save rate on 50 shots faced.
Germany’s production was led by Gustav Weber and Lasse Volquardsen.
Additionally, Ireland captain Sean Gibson notched his 100th cap at World Lacrosse championships. Gibson is the Vice Chair of the World Lacrosse Athletes’ Commission and serves on the Board of Directors.
Netherlands – U.S. Virgin Islands
The Netherlands pulled away from a strong challenge from the U.S. Virgin Islands to collect a 16-10 victory to open action in Pool G.
In its first ever game at a World Lacrosse championship, the USVI acquitted itself well against a top-ten finisher from the last men’s box championships. The USVI scored three goals in a row to claw within one in the third quarter at 8-7 and repeated the feat to open the fourth quarter at 11-10.
But the Netherlands closed the game on a dominant five goal run to shut the door on its opponent. Graham Bergsma keyed the attacking outing with five goals and two assists.
Ross Vos-Parsons and Joshua Toguri both posted five-point outings and Joost van der Horst added four points.
Goalkeepers Tim van Cuylenborg and Sam Haines combined for 31 saves.
Nick McEvoy led the USVI attack with two goals and two assists. Goalkeeper Patrick Crosby posted a 75% save percentage.
Puerto Rico – Australia
Australia withstood a fierce challenge from first-time box participant Puerto Rico to win 17-12 in the opening game of Pool F action.
Puerto Rico led 5-2 and 8-5 in the second quarter, but Australia methodically worked its way back to an 8-8 scoreline by halftime.
Then Australia found an extra gear with a dominant 6-0 third quarter to lead 14-8. Puerto Rico cut it to four but Australia had all the answers in the second half in what ended as well deserved win in front of a loud contingent of Australian support.
Veteran Jesse Whinnen, playing in his fourth men’s box championship, was still dominant for Australia with five goals and four assists including a four-point second quarter.
Lucas Wood contributed four goals and two assists and Marcus Aramabatzis added four goals.
Goalkeeper Colin Jeffrey made 36 saves on 48 shots faced.
Steven Ramirez, Will Ramos and Lance Yapor all recorded three points for Puerto Rico.
United States – Haudenosaunee
The United States announced its contending intentions in its opening game of the 2024 men’s box championship, claiming its first ever win against the Haudenosaunee in men’s box by a 16-9 scoreline at the Adirondack Bank Center.
The Haudenosaunee have claimed the silver medal in all five past editions of the men’s box championship with the United States taking bronze five times. The Haudenosaunee had gotten the better of the United States seven times previously across pool play and playoff matches dating back to 2003.
While the two teams could meet again in the playoffs, the win marked a significant step for the United States and its development in box lacrosse, with more players touting experience in the National Lacrosse League than ever.
The United States seized control of the game midway through the first quarter with a pair of goals from Charlie Bertrand to lead 3-2. Jack Hannah, Connor Robinson and Connor Kirst all added goals as the United States defense forced the Haudenosaunee into tough shots en route to a 6-2 lead.
The Haudenosaunee hung around with goals from stars Randy Staats, Tehoka Nanticoke and Lyle Thompson to cut the lead to 7-6 with five minutes left in the first half.
But the United States closed the half with two crucial goals and then came out of the break hungrier with two more in the first 90 seconds to lead 11-6.
The Haudenosaunee found two big goals from Zed Williams, with his second coming two minutes into the fourth quarter, to cut the lead to three, adding just enough uncertainty to the United States’ lead with enough time for a comeback.
But the United States weathered over six minutes of scoreless action before finding the extra gear to close the game on a stunning four-goal run to win 16-9.
Hannah finished with three goals and three assists, while Bertrand added three goals and two assists.
Joey Spallina, the youngest player in the squad, contributed four key goals including the fourth quarter strike to end the six-minute scoreless stretch. Veteran forward Joe Resetarits added a goal and four assists.
Goalkeeper Gowah Abrams was outstanding with 40 saves for an 82% save percentage.
Randy Staats flashed his trademark guile in front of goal with four scores and two assists with Zed Williams adding three points.
Ireland-Germany Gallery
Netherlands – U.S. Virgin Islands Gallery
Puerto Rico – Australia Gallery
United States – Haudenosaunee Gallery
More coming soon.
