The United States swept aside Canada in a 16-4 win to secure its fifth consecutive gold medal at the Nissin Foods 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship on Sunday evening at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo.
The United States won by 12 or more goals in each game of its unbeaten run, as it scored an average of 20 goals a game and allowed an average of less than five.
The superlative United States performance cemented another chapter for the most storied program in international women’s lacrosse, as it became the first team in the history of the women’s championship to win five in a row. The United States has won 10 of the 12 women’s championships contested since 1982.
Box Score, Highlights and Gallery
The United States’ winning streak in the event now stands at 36 games, dating back to 2009.
Canada came away with its fourth silver medal in a row, dating back to 2013, and the team won its other five games in Tokyo.
Shea Dolce was named the player of the match for the United States with eight saves on 12 shots faced to keep Canada at bay.
Ally Kennedy was the Most Valuable Player of the tournament for the United States as a midfielder, with exceptional all-around impact across the field, including 10 goals, six assists and four ground balls. Kennedy was also named the MVP of the World Lacrosse Women’s Box Championship in 2024.
The United States had five players land on the World Team, with Chloe Humphrey, Marie McCool, Sydney Scales and Shea Dolce joining Kennedy. McCool was also a World Team honoree at the 2022 women’s championship.
Three players for Canada earned World Team recognition: Aurora Cordingley, Erica Evans and Brooklyn Walker-Welch. Cordingley earned her second consecutive World Team honor at the women’s championship.
Sam Apuzzo paced the lethal American attack on the evening with three goals and two assists. Kenzie Kent and Kennedy each added three points. Twelve different players recorded a point, exemplifying the depth of the American contributions throughout its gold-medal run.
Over six games, ten different players recorded at least 10 points for the United States. Humphrey led the way with 24 points, followed by 23 points for Madison Taylor. In midfield, Ally Mastroianni registered 48 draw controls, while Scales led the team with 10 ground balls.
Dolce made 24 saves at a 63% save percentage in her World Team-worthy tournament in net.
Kassidy Morris and Cordingley tied with 22 points to lead the Canada attack, while Evans added 17 points herself.
Nicole Perroni was also one of the best midfielders in Tokyo, adding 12 ground balls to her 13 points. Alissa DiGiacinto collected 31 draw controls.
United States
Canada
Gallery
