United States stays undefeated and the Haudenosaunee bounce back on day three at 2026 Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship

Box Score Notes and Galleries: ARG-ISV | HAU-MEX | USA-JAM

The United States moved to the precipice of qualification for the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship with a hard-fought win over the host Jamaica to highlight the day three action of the 2026 Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship in Kingston on Wednesday.

The Haudenosaunee also rebounded with a crucial second win over Mexico to move within a win of qualification themselves, while the U.S. Virgin Islands kept its hopes alive with a victory over Argentina.

The United States improved to 2-0 with a win over seventh-ranked Jamaica, and almost mathematically secured a top-two finish in the pool with Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Colombia all holding a loss already. With a Puerto Rico win against Colombia on Thursday, the United States can punch its official ticket to the men’s championship. The United States still needs a win on Friday against Puerto Rico when it is back in action to advance to the gold medal game.

The Haudenosaunee rebounded from its loss to Canada on Tuesday by handling Mexico to improve to 2-1. The Haudenosaunee play the U.S. Virgin Islands on Friday after a day off, and a win would qualify the team for the men’s championship, as well as a spot in the bronze medal match on Sunday.

The U.S. Virgin Islands face an uphill battle to qualify with a matchup against second-ranked Canada on Thursday, but wins against Canada and the Haudenosaunee would send the team through to the men’s championship, and one win would put the team into the fifth place game on Saturday.

Three games are set for Thursday, with qualification stakes on the line in all of the matchups. Canada can become the first team to qualify for the championship with a win against the U.S. Virgin Islands in the opening game.

Puerto Rico and Colombia face off in each team’s second game in the second slot of the day. Puerto Rico faces Jamaica in the last game of pool play on Friday, and, with a win Thursday against Colombia, would set up a battle for a spot in Tokyo without having to rely on the fifth place game.

Mexico and Argentina both need wins to stay alive for third place in Pool B and a spot in the third place game. Mexico is playing its last game of pool play, while Argentina’s pool play finale is against Canada on Friday.

Box Score

The U.S. Virgin Islands eased past Argentina to pick up its first-ever win in a World Lacrosse-sanctioned men’s field competition, after becoming a WL member in 2020.

Both goalkeepers turned in strong performances, with 21 saves for Argentina’s Connor Hollison and 10 saves for USVI’s Isaiah Wilson, but the shot advantage, more than doubled in USVI’s favor, was too much on the afternoon for Argentina.

Jake Walter and Anthony Bardonille both starred for the U.S. Virgin Islands with matching four-goal-and-two-assist statlines. Dante Poli added three goals and two assists to round out a strong day for the trio.

Box Score

The Haudenosaunee pounced on Mexico early, with four quick goals, and despite an early fightback to get within three, the Haudenosaunee pulled away with too much attacking firepower.

Ron John completed a hat trick within the span of five minutes to close the first half and restore the lead to four at the break, and in the second half, the goals kept pouring in from a litany of contributors.

Ten different players chipped in for 16 goals, led by four from John, but the creative spark came from Winter Rivera with five assists, the most in a game so far in the championship.

Saka Thompson and Jack VanValkenburgh combined for 12 saves on 18 shots faced in net for the Haudenosaunee.

Baron Mazariegos totaled three points for Mexico, and Ricky Tinoco acquitted himself well on face-offs with 11 wins.

Box Score

Jamaica’s defense did its best to slow down the vaunted American attack in a battle atop Pool A, but the United States eventually wore down its opponent over the course of the night to coast away with the win.

The United States took 65 shots on the night and while its 25% shooting percentage was a testament to Jamaica’s defensive effort, which included 25 saves from Nate McPeak on 41 shots on goal, the attrition and relentlessness from the United States led to a one-sided affair.

Chad Palumbo racked up four goals for the United States, and Brian Kelly added three.

Luke Weirman and Andrew McMeekin combined to win 12 out of 22 face-offs.