The United States surged past Canada for a 10-7 win in the gold medal match on Sunday afternoon at the Adirondack Bank Center to claim the title of the first-ever women’s box championship.
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The two teams treated fans to an epic, emotional and tense match that was fitting of the stakes and an elite showcase of the physicality, skill and creativity required in women’s box lacrosse.
The game started as a defensive affair with just one goal in the first 16 minutes, scored by Ally Kennedy. The U.S. kept Canada off the board until the very end of the half when Brooklyn Walker-Welch scored to make it 2-1 heading into the break.
Ingrid Boyum denied Canada at every angle and distance throughout the half with 25 saves in an inspired effort.
The scoring picked up in the third quarter, and Canada’s attacking connections paid off in the form of a 4-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
What followed next was a timeless 15 minutes of lacrosse. The teams exchanged three goals in three minutes as the U.S. tied the game at 5-5.
Canada then went on a 5-on-3 power play, and right when it looked like the United States had killed it off, Erica Evans broke free for a solo run in behind and buried her chance to give Canada a late lead. Less than 20 seconds later, Canada cashed in on all the momentum with a slick screen sequence finished off by Dacia Cordingley to lead 7-5.
With eight minutes left, the United States dug deep for an extra gear in attack. Livy Rosenzweig scored her second goal of the game just 12 seconds after Cordingley’s goal to stabilize the game. Then the U.S. received a fortunate bounce on a shot from Riley Ewing that deflected off Canada into the net to tie the game.
The foothold back into the game was all the United States needed, as Erin Bakes took a feed from Rosenzweig and bounced it into the net to give the United States an 8-7 lead.
Charlotte North seized momentum for good just 30 seconds later with a goal to make it 9-7. Canada tried its best to mount a late run of its own, but the American defense held strong and Ally Kennedy turned a turnover in the final minute into an empty net goal.
Rosenzweig tallied a hat-trick for the United States, and Kennedy and Bakes added two goals apiece. The team tallied seven assists on its 10 goals.
All of Canada’s goals came from different players. Evans headlined the effort with a goal and four assists.
Ingrid Boyum was simply outstanding for the USA, saving 41 shots with an 85% save percentage.. Kayla Kondo saved 35 for Canada.
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