England finished its campaign at the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship in seventh place after winning its pool, advancing to the quarterfinals, and ending on a high note with a win against Jamaica.
Its two wins after pool play against Mexico and Jamaica were both thrillers with a similar pattern: England led by one while the other team had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, only for goalkeeper Jackson Davies to make a save to secure the victory.
Plenty of exciting games on Jeju Island in Korea came down to the wire over the 10 days of action, and a handful ended with last second saves. Four other teams played multiple one-goal games in Korea: Canada, Korea, the Haudenosaunee, the United States
But England was the only team to win two one-goal games in Jeju, with the first instance a surreal finish against Mexico:
An absolutely WILD passage of play in the dying seconds as Mexico had an incredible look to send the game to OT, but Jackson Davies stood tall and sent England to the quarterfinals instead 🏴#WLMU20C x #Jeju2025 pic.twitter.com/YIkX8hPss3
— World Lacrosse (@WorldLacrosse) August 20, 2025
“Davies made his 10th save of the night to rebuff a frantic Mexico final possession, his second save in the final 30 seconds of the game. Mexico had trailed 7-3 in the fourth quarter and staged an improbable comeback, forcing an England turnover down one with just over a minute to go to set up a madcap finish. Wyatt Guerra’s first shot was deflected away, and Mexico nearly ran out of time in the ensuing scramble trying to corral a loose ball.
But with five seconds left, Ezekiel Peraza regained the ball, raced towards net and found an unmarked Guerra in front of goal. Guerra went for the audacious attempt on the edge of the crease, but Davies stood tall to make the save of the tournament and one of the most memorable plays at a World Lacrosse championship in recent memory, sparking exuberant celebrations in front of the English support.”
“Jackson’s massively bailed us out,” said England captain Jamie Mochan after the win. “You can’t be more happy than a last-second save.”
England fell in the quarterfinals to the United States and then to Puerto Rico, but had a chance to end its campaign with a win against a strong Jamaica team that pushed England to the limit in a captivating 14-11 contest in pool play.
The finale for both teams was even closer, with Jamaica clawing back from a 10-4 halftime deficit to 14-11 in the final few minutes, and ultimately 14-13 in the final minute.
Quincy White had scored his fourth goal of the game and had a chance for a fifth on a wide angle in the last seconds, and while lightning doesn’t strike twice, Davies somehow repeated his rare heroics with an acrobatic kick save for the England win.
“Just kind of same-old, same-old – I have the easiest job on the field: see the ball go, get it.” said Davies. “I was able to read the release and just get a foot on it.”
Davies finished the Jamaica game with six saves. In six games, Davies finished with 39 saves, the ninth most out of goalkeeper in the tournament with a solid 49% save percentage, while splitting time in net for England.
England finished as the top team from the European Lacrosse Federation at the Men’s U20 Championship. The senior men’s program has already qualified for the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship in Japan.
