The United States stunned the Haudenosaunee 12-11 in an instant classic to advance to the gold medal game for the first time ever in the men’s box championship.
The U.S. has taken bronze in the past five editions of the event while the Haudenosaunee have taken silver, but Friday night’s result at the Adirondack Bank Center flipped the scripts in an epic nailbiter.
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.
Eli McLaughlin and Randy Staats led the Haudenosaunee with four points each.
Abrams made 43 saves for the United States while Doug Jamieson made 50 for the Haudenosaunee.
The United States’ gold medal match against Canada is set for Sunday at 4 p.m.
Quotes
United States Head Coach Regy Thorpe
On his emotions after the win: The guys deserve it. They’ve been working their butts off, the organization has been working for years … We haven’t been able to get over the hump but I’m proud not only of this team, but the teams in the past that paved the way.
On the game: Our guys earned it. It was a hard game, we led at the beginning of the game and not until the end. It was an exciting game and our guys responded every time they made a run. It’s not easy, they’re a very talented team … It was a heck of a win for our program.
On the difference in the end: The guys just made some plays as the game went. Hats off to the Haudenosaunee and I have a lot of respect for them. We just had to make a couple more plays and it could have been anyone’s game. For anyone watching, it was an exciting game and we’re fortunate to be on the winning end.
On forward Joey Spallina: Joey is Joey. He’s made for big moments and no moment is too big for that kid … We did need a couple out of him tonight and he responded … The kid scores big goals. You can’t deny it, whether it’s field, box, or whatever. He’s been doing it since, I don’t know how old, seven, eight, six, five. He doesn’t get rattled … He’s a very poised player and we’re fortunate to have him and a bunch of veterans that helped him through the process.
On goalkeeper Gowah Abrams: There was no stop bigger than the last. Our defense played well, we played a lot of defense. We didn’t let them go on that three or four goal run.
Connor Kirst
On the final goal: We were battling. We had a little a bit of transition, and fortunate to play for a coach that allows us to push the ball. I saw an opportunity and TJ Comizio set a great seal. I let it fly and was fortunate that it went in.
On his emotions after the win: It’s awesome that this group has another opportunity to play together. For us to be a part of history is really cool. We all love this game so much. For us to be the first to do that is pretty special and we’re all happy to be able to compete for a gold.
On the difference between this matchup and the opening matchup against the Haudenosaunee: It was definitely closer. It’s so many games in so many days that really tests your will. You can train for it, but holy cow, it’s tough.
On Gowah Abrams’ save: They got a great opportunity. What an individual effort by him. The save on who I personally think is the best player in the world, Lyle Thompson, who can do it all. I mean for him to make that save with however many seconds were left is crazy.
Joey Spallina
On absorbing some big hits: I’m just flying around and maybe that’s part of my role is to take those big shots. I’m just having so much fun to be honest with you. This is the most fun lacrosse that I’ve ever played. There’s no place that I would rather be.
On his favorite moment: I’m going to remember Connor Kirst’s goal. I was coming in on a three and two and he stepped back and just hammered this shot. I don’t think I’ve ever jumped higher in the air in my life. That shot was great. That was a great play, that was a great last eight minutes of the game. Going down two with nine to go, we could have definitely packed it in. We just kept fighting and kept going.
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