Canada shocked the United States with a buzzer-beating save from Grayson Manning to win the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship, 6-5, a groundbreaking first-ever men’s U20 championship for Canada to snap a streak of nine gold medals for the Americans in a timeless thriller on Jeju Island in Korea.
Canada led 6-2 with four minutes to go after frustrating the United States for the entire game but the Americans flipped a late switch in a furious rally, getting within one with eight seconds left. Brady Wambach won the draw, and the ball found its way to Colin Kurdyla with enough room to wind up a last-gasp laser, but Manning shut the door to cap a tournament-winning display.
Manning made 15 saves on 20 shots faced, repelling the American attack at every turn, en-route to being named the Most Valuable Player of the Championship.
The United States had previously only lost twice in the event, in pool play in 2012, with Canada’s seismic win upturning the Americans for the first time in the championship in 13 years and marking the first new winner in the championship since 1988.
Canada also reversed the 7-6 nailbiter from the two team’s opening meeting on day two in Korea, a 7-6 win for the United States that also came down to the final seconds.
On the day, the United States outshot Canada and won more face-offs, but Canada was much more ruthless on its quality shot opportunities, and finished with a 30% shooting percentage, compared to just 14% for the United States.
Alongside Manning, Canada’s defense and and game management were instrumental in the sweltering heat on Jeju Island. Canada held the United States scoreless for the first 29 minutes of the game until a power play goal, and kept the Americans at bay through much of the third quarter as well.
The United States almost pulled off a legendary comeback with three goals in three minutes and 30 seconds, sparked by a Wambach takeover on face-off.
Overall, Lucas Littlejohn stepped up for Canada with two goals, and the attack received big scores from David Peterkin, Max Frattaroli, Jared Maznik, and Sawyer English, whose fourth quarter goal was only his second of the tournament.
Maznik broke the American ride for an empty net goal with four minutes to go, in what was ultimately the game winner.
Frattaroli and Maznik were named to the World Team for Canada as well as Manning, the MVP, along with midfielders Luke Robinson and Reece DiCicco and defenseman Parker Sorenson. Frattaroli finished his campaign as Canada’s most productive player with 16 goals and five assists. Maznik was also instrumental in front of net with 17 points. Robinson had 13 and was part of Canada’s stifling defense, as well as Sorenson in defense and DiCicco with a short stick.
Through six games, Canada allowed just 30 goals, including two standout performances against the United States. Canada held the Americans to an average of 5.5 goals in two contests, while they averaged 19.5 goals in their other four games.
Manning’s gold medal heroics underscored his MVP campaign, but he was impressive throughout the tournament with a 66% save percentage, the third best mark overall with matches often coming against top-seeded opposition.
Speidell scored twice on the day, as did Kurdyla. Owen Duffy and Brendan Millon each had two assists.
Speidell was named to the World Team for the United States in attack, joining Kurdyla in midfield. Speidell led the team with 31 points in six games, the fourth best total in the tournament. Kurdyla had 14 points and was a key two-way contributor all over the field.
Quintan Kilrain was also named to the World Team for his outstanding performance in defense, drawing difficult assignments and limiting Canada’s best attackmen in the final. The United States allowed just 21 goals in six games.
Gallery
