UTICA, N.Y. — The United States is headed to the World Lacrosse Men’s Box Championship Game for the first time in history after a 12-11 come-from-behind victory over the Haudenosaunee on Friday night at Adirondack Bank Center.
Connor Kirst scored the go-ahead goal on a transition opportunity with 5:01 remaining in the game and Gowah Abrams made two saves in the final 90 seconds of the game, including turning away a shot from Lyle Thompson right in front of the cage with 28 seconds remaining in the game.
The U.S., winners of bronze medals, in each of the previous five World Lacrosse men’s box championships, will meet five-time event champion Canada in Sunday’s gold medal game at 4 p.m. The game will air live on ESPN2.
The U.S. scored the first two goals of the game and led 4-3 at the end of the first quarter after Joey Spallina’s power play goal with 49 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Haudenosaunee then dominated the second quarter, getting a pair of transition goals from Noonzy Thompson and took a 7-5 hafltime lead.
Blaze Riorden and Joe Resetarits, both third-time members of the U.S. team, then scored goals in the opening 90 seconds of the third quarter to tie the game at 7-7 and the teams traded goals to enter the fourth quarter tied 9-9.
Eli McLaughlin opened the scoring in the final quarter, getting one past Abrams after he had gotten a piece of the shot to give the Haudenosaunee a 10-9 lead with 9:42 left. Lyle Thompson then scored just 50 seconds later to give the Haudenosaunee its first two-goal lead since halftime.
The U.S. was able to answer quickly, in part due to the faceoff domination of Joe Nardella. Nardella won 25 of 27 faceoffs in the game and Resetarits got one home just 24 seconds after Thompson’s goal.
Spallina, who had a hat trick, tied the game with 7:27 to play to set the stage for Kirst’s game-winner.
Abrams was rock solid in goal for the U.S., making 43 saves. Spallina’s three goals paced the offense while Jack Hannah, Kirst and Resetarits each scored twice.
McLaughlin, Lyle Thompson and Noonzy Thompston each scored twice for the Haudenosaunee while Doug Jamieson made 50 saves.
The Haudenosaunee will play England in the bronze medal game on Saturday night at 7 pm.
