The Haudenosaunee overturned a five-goal deficit at halftime against Puerto Rico to pull out a dramatic 12-10 win in the bronze medal match at the 2025 Pan-American Women’s Lacrosse Championship on Monday in Auburndale, Florida.
The Haudenosaunee claimed their first ever medal at a senior women’s field international championship. Previously, the Haudenosaunee won in women’s sixes at the 2023 PALA Sixes Cup in Jamaica, and were in first place at the 2019 PALA Qualifier for what would end up as the 2022 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship.
Both Puerto Rico and Haudenosaunee previously qualified for the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship in Tokyo by advancing to the semifinals on Saturday.
Puerto Rico started the game with the first two goals through eight minutes, and exploded for four goals in the last six minutes of the first half to lead 7-2 at the break.
But after halftime, the Haudenosaunee responded with a six goals in the third quarter, including a personal 3-0 run from Sierra Cockerille that gave the Haudenosaunee an 8-7 lead with just 12 seconds in the frame.
Lucia Nash-Lagares responded within 10 seconds, and three seconds short of the fourth quarter, to finally stop the run, and tied the game at 8-8.
Puerto Rico led first in the final frame, but the Haudenosaunee’s momentum could not be quelled, as Alie Jimerson tied the game with nine minutes to play before Avery Doran took the lead on an assist from Cockerille. The former Syracuse University star continued her masterful second half with a crucial insurance goal, giving the Haudenosaunee an 11-9 lead with five minutes to play.
Puerto Rico wrested possession and got within one, and found itself with the ball in the final two minutes with a chance to tie the game. Sky Carrasquillo earned a free-position shot, but fired her shot narrowly wide, and the Haudenosaunee were able to see out the game, with an extra stamp from Alie Jimerson in the final seconds to make it 12-10.
Paige Crandall finished with five saves for the Haudenosaunee, while Cockerille ended with four goals and two assists. Doran, Jalyn Jimerson and Alie Jimerson rounded out the attacking output.
Nash-Lugares led Puerto Rico with three points and Rachel Ramirez made seven saves.
