UTICA, N.Y. — The United States beat the Haudenosaunee 16-9 in its opening pool play game at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. It was the first win ever for the U.S. men over the Haudenosaunee in world championship play in box lacrosse.
Jack Hannah ripped an outside shot home just 14 seconds into the game to set the tone and had a first-half hat trick to help the U.S. move out to a 9-6 halftime lead.
Blaze Riorden and Joey Spallina then cashed in power play goals to open the second half as the U.S. stretched its lead to 11-6. Those were two of four power play goals in the game for the U.S.
Thanks in part of a pair of goals by Zed Williams, the Haudenosaunee pulled to within 12-9 early in the fourth quarter, but deep outside shots from Spallina and C.J. Kirst put the game away for the U.S.
Spallina finished with a team-high four goals while Hannah and Charlie Bertrand each scored three times. Joe Resetarits had a goal and four assists. Gowah Abrams was strong in net for the U.S., making 40 saves, including 23 in the second half.
Randy Staats led the Haudenosaunee with four goals and added a pair of assists. Warren Hill made 29 saves.
In the other men’s games on Friday, Ireland edged Germany (7-5), the Netherlands beat the U.S. Virgin Islands (16-10) and Australia beat Puerto Rico (17-12).
The U.S. men have an off-day on Saturday before returning to action on Sunday against England at 1 p.m. at the Adirondack Bank Center.
