Korea won its home debut in style at the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship, running away from New Zealand 10-4 in front of a delighted home crowd in Seogwipo on Jeju Island.
“Just hearing the fans out there and the passion, it really helped fuel the engine,” said Saeng Ryo, Korea’s goalkeeper. “Especially in the fourth quarter when everything got a bit more physical. I’m soaking wet but you know, the crowd helped.”
Korea rode a hot start and the energy in an evening game under the lights at Gongcheonpo Training Center to a 5-0 lead in the first 20 minutes and battled the rest of the way against Asia-Pacific foe New Zealand.
Ryo was outstanding for Korea, making 15 saves on 19 shots faced to frustrate the New Zealand attack. On a night when Korea and New Zealand’s shot totals were comparable, Ryo’s heroics proved decisive.
“It means everything, just having the opportunity to come out here and represent my country across my chest, it means the world,” said Ryo. “Especially with such a great group of guys, it’s more than a privilege and it’s great to get the win and start the tournament off on a high note.”
Korea finished 16th at the last edition of the Men’s U20 Championship in 2022 but are in the hunt for the play-in with the win to tie England atop of Pool C.
Offensively, Tanner Hahm powered Korea with four points while Ryan Baik added three. Yeonje Choo also had two goals.
New Zealand was led by Murdoch Bech with two points and five saves combined from goalkeepers Kieran Snape and Caiden Taylor.
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