Canada Wins Men's Box Lacrosse World Title, Women Earn Inaugural Silver
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By Noan Gagnon
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Summary:
- Canada defeated the US in men’s box lacrosse, scooping up the world title on Sunday at the World Box Lacrosse Championships.
- The women’s team earned the inaugural silver medal after losing to the US.
- Box lacrosse will make a comeback to the Olympic Games in LA in 2028.
Sunday will go down as a day to remember for live Canada sport’s bettors as the box lacrosse men’s and women’s team after shared the spotlight with the United States at the World Box Lacrosse Championships.
Canada secured its sixth men’s world title, defeating the US team that claimed the inaugural women’s gold medal after scoring higher than the Canadians who took home silver.
Canada Continues Uninterrupted Reign Since 2003
In the men’s final, Canada triumphed 13-7 over the United States, continuing their reign as champions in every box lacrosse world championship since the tournament’s debut in 2003.
Atlas Lacrosse Club (Premier Lacrosse League) player Jeff Teat who also represents the National Lacrosse League’s Ottawa Black Bears, Jeff Teat, was the one who led the way for Canada with a standout performance.
Teat scored three goals and also contributed four assists. Shane Smith, who plays for the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League as well as the Chaos Lacrosse Club in the Premier Lacrosse League, played a similarly dominant game.
The 32-year-old who also plays for the Canadian men’s indoor lacrosse team and the Canada men’s lacrosse team managed to tally two goals and six assists, further fueling his team’s offense.
Georgia Swarm of the National Lacrosse League and Cannons LC of the Premier Lacrosse League player Shayne Jackson contributed with a hat trick.
Josh Byrne, who plays for the National Lacrosse League’s Buffalo Bandits and Premier Lacrosse League’s Chaos Lacrosse Club scored twice and assisted on another goal.
Additionally, Wesley Berg, Robert Church, and Zach Currier rounded out the scoring for Canada.
Goaltender Christian Del Bianco who plays for the Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League also showed he is capable of stellar performances between the pipes, with no less than 51 successful saves.
For the US, Joe Resetarits was the top performer, leading his team with three goals and two assists. C.J. Kirst, Mac O’Keefe, Blaze Riorden, and Joey Spallina also found the back of the net for the Americans.
Goaltender Gowah Abrams faced heavy pressure throughout the game, allowing 10 goals on 42 shots before being replaced by Drew Hutchison, who conceded three goals on eight shots.
Silver for Canada in the First-Ever Women’s World Championship Final
While Canada maintained its dominance in men’s box lacrosse, the women’s team suffered a 10-7 defeat against the United States, taking home silver.
The Americans made history in the first-ever women’s world championship final after trailing 4-3 entering the fourth quarter and erupting with seven goals in the final frame.
Livy Rosenzweig was instrumental in the victory, leading the charge with three goals and an assist in the fourth quarter, giving her a game-high five points overall.
Canadian Box legend Erica Evans led the Canadian effort with a goal and four assists, while Dacia Cordingley, Dana Dobbie, Megan Kinna, Harlow Steele, Brooklyn Walker-Welch, and Katie De Snoo also contributed goals.
Kayla Kondo made 35 saves for Canada.
On the other side, the US women’s team showed a balanced attack. Erin Bakes scored twice and added an assist, while Ally Kennedy also netted two goals.
Riley Ewing, Ally Mastroianni, and Charlotte North chipped in with a goal each. US goaltender Ingrid Boyum stopped 41 shots.
The world titles’ splitting day marked a critical moment for the sport that is getting ready to return to the Olympic Games in 2028, following its last appearances in 1904 in St. Louis and 1908 in London.
