The 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship presented by Rady Children’s Hospital kicked into full gear on its second day in San Diego with 22 teams making their debut across 11 games of action, highlighted by three dramatic goals.
Three Headlines:
Latvia edged Peru in a 7-6 thriller in the first game of Pool F. Peru led 6-5 with under two minutes to play, but Latvia tied the game and went on to win with a goal from Kaspars Rudzinskis with 6 seconds left to play.
Wales survived a stiff challenge from Denmark in a 7-6 overtime win, clinched with an outstanding goal from Andrew Gresham.
Scotland staved off a Mexico comeback with a game-winning goal in the last 10 seconds to win 9-8 in Pool E action in front of a raucous crowd at Rady Field.
A full recap of day two can be found below.
Jamaica stymied Germany, 5-3, in a defensive affair between two teams hoping to top Pool D.
Isaac Newland had his hand in all five of Jamaica’s goals, scoring four and assisting the other.
The Jamaica defense had its way with Germany, holding the attack to 14 shots and six on goal.
New Zealand kept Switzerland at arm’s length throughout its Pool D opener, seeing out a comfortable 12-6 win with a 4-1 advantage in the final quarter.
Andrew Clayton shouldered the offensive workload for New Zealand with a hat trick and an assist.
Australia collected a statement win in the lone Pool A match of the day at the University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium against rival England, 8-4.
Goalkeeper Sean Aaron frustrated the England attack, which managed 15 shots on goal only to be thwarted by Aaron 11 times.
Isaac Cahill scored three goals for Australia, which controlled the game by winning 10 out of 13 face-offs and putting 14 out of 18 shots on goal.
Scotland staved off a Mexico comeback with a game-winning goal in the last 10 seconds to win 9-8 in Pool E action.
Thom Gilbrook fired in the goal on an assist from Christopher Willox, his second helper of the day.
Colin Uyeki finished with three goals and an assist, and Daniel McQuade had four goals.
Goalkeeper Tobias Cleaver-Ross was superb in net, with nine saves on 17 shots on goal.
Josh Sanchez poured in four goals and two assists in a fierce effort from Mexico, who overcame a two-goal deficit in the last four minutes of the fourth quarter to tie the game.
Italy’s offensive firepower paved the way to a 13-5 win over Hong Kong, China in another Pool E contest.
John Piatelli scored four goals and Christian Cuccinello chipped in five points with three assists.
Italy’s goalkeeper Matt Deluca kept Hong Kong, China at bay with nine saves on 13 shots on goal, the best save percentage through the tournament so far.
Ireland turned in a balanced effort to sink the Netherlands, 12-6, in the second game from Pool F on the day.
Four players scored two goals each, with Conor Foley adding three assists to his pair of scores. Ireland’s defense was active as well, halting five of the Netherlands 15 clears and causing six turnovers overall.
Wales survived a stiff challenge from Denmark in a 7-6 overtime win, clinched with an outstanding goal from Andrew Gresham on an assist from Robert Hopkins.
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Hopkins paced the Welsh offense with three goals and the game-winning assist. Goalkeeper Casey Hughes made a difference with six saves on 12 shots on goal.
Denmark clawed back from a two-goal deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game with four minutes remaining. Goalkeeper James Robertson made seven saves on 14 shots on goal.
Japan eased into form with a dominant 15-2 win over France in Pool B action.
Shinya Tateishi led the offensive production with five goals and four assists while Hiroki Kanaya added six goals and two assists.
Japan won 15 out of 19 face-offs, led by eight wins for Keiji Victor Ishi and six wins for Ikumihito Shimada. Japan’s defense was also excellent, holding France to eight shots and six on goal.
Puerto Rico opened its campaign in San Diego by pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 14-6 win over the Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic cut the deficit from five to three early in the fourth quarter, but Puerto Rico ended the game on a 5-0 run, including two goals from Joshua Balarcel.
Russell Melendez powered the offense with four goals and three assists.
Latvia edged Peru in a 7-6 thriller in the first game of Pool F on day two of the 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship
Peru led 6-5 with under two minutes to play, but Latvia tied the game and went on to win it with a goal with six seconds to play from Kaspars Rudzinskis.
Eli Lasda added two goals for Latvia and Gints Gūtmanis recorded two assists.
Chris Santangelo scored three goals for Peru.
Israel coasted to a win in its opening game over Sweden, 10-3, in Pool C action.
Nathaniel Solomon, Matthew Balter and Robert Schain scored two goals each for Israel.
Ian Kadish was excellent on face-offs, winning 10 out of 15.
The Israel defense held Sweden to just 15 shots overall and seven on goal.
