SAN DIEGO — Rob Pannell (pictured) had four goals and three assists and the vaunted United States defense finished four minutes shy of its first-ever shutout in a world championship, as the Americans wrapped up pool play with an 18-1 victory over England in the World Lacrosse Men’s Championship at the University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium.
With the win, the U.S. (4-0) has clinched the top playoff seed and earned a bye to Wednesday’s quarterfinal round. A previously scheduled day off Monday means the team has two days to rest and get healthy for the final push toward a gold medal.
“That’s great,” head coach John Danowski said. “We can spend some social time together. We can do some team building together. We can do some things to help the team grow without the physicality.”
The Americans will meet the winner of a first-round game Tuesday between the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds. The U.S. was one of six teams that were undefeated in pool play as of Sunday afternoon. England fell to 0-4.
The U.S. excelled in every phase of the game Sunday, scoring on 18 of 29 possessions (62-percent offensive efficiency) while blanking England for the first 55 minutes, 47 seconds before Christian Scarpello ended the shutout bid on a lefty twister with 4:13 remaining.
The defensive unit finished pool play allowing an average of just four goals per game.
“The motto of our defense is we just don’t want to let each other down,” said Danny Logan, a short-stick defensive midfielder. “Guys aren’t playing for themselves. They’re playing for one another. You can kind of feel that on the field. When we’re out there, guys are connected.”
The U.S. outshot England 43-10 and won 19 of 23 faceoffs, with Trevor Baptiste (12-for-14) and TD Ierlan (7-for-9) again giving the Americans an outsized possession advantage. They finished pool play at 80 percent. Ierlan carried out the flag before the game after going a perfect 14-for-14 against the Haudenosaunee on Saturday. He added a goal to his haul Sunday.
Pannell’s seven-point day gives him 12 points for the tournament and 65 for his international career — two shy of the U.S. record held by Mark Millon. The three-time U.S. teamer wasn’t the only attackman to shine Sunday, however. Matt Rambo and Kieran McArdle added three goals apiece. Collectively, the attack unit combined for 16 points.
Ten different players scored in all, with five different players registering assists.
“Every guy here is really talented in his own way. Team chemistry is the last thing to develop. And the only way it develops is games,” Danowski said. “We played right, and we played right for the full 60 minutes. There could have been a letdown. Our guys stayed focused.”
The United States is 70-4 all-time in world championship play and pursuing its 11th gold medal. Wednesday’s quarterfinal game at Torero Stadium is scheduled for 10 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Pacific and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
