The U.S. secured its 14th berth in the finals at the World Lacrosse Men’s Championships after defeating Australia 11-2 at Snapdragon Stadium Thursday.
Eight players scored for the American team, with Michael Sowers and Ryan Conrad each offering up two goals and an assist.
The other semifinal winner, Canada, will meet the U.S. with the title at stake at 4 p.m. Saturday at Snapdragon. It’s the first time the winner will be decided in San Diego.
Second-seeded Canada faced the Haudenosaunee in the early semifinal game, also at Snapdragon, winning 12-7. Five different players had multiple points for Canada, including Dhane Smith with three goals and an assist, and Dyson Williams with three goals.
The U.S. is attempting to repeat as champion, while claiming the crown for the 11th time. Canada is trying to snag its third title.
The top-seeded U.S. advanced to the semifinals with a 19-3 quarterfinal victory over eighth-seed Israel Wednesday at the University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium. The team is 6-0 in the tournament.
Fourth-seeded Australia defeated fifth-seeded England, 10-5 the same day at the San Diego State Sports Deck. Its record fell to 3-4 with the loss to the U.S.
Canada crushed 10th-seed Jamaica, 20-1, in a quarterfinal Wednesday, its fourth consecutive victory since a 7-5 loss against the U.S. in the tournament opener June 21.
The Haudenosaunee, which represents the Iroquois Confederacy in international lacrosse competition, defeated sixth-seeded Japan, 10-5, in another quarterfinal.
Saturday’s final will be preceded at 1 p.m. by Australia taking on the Haudenosaunee in the third-place game.
The remaining teams that did not make the medal round finish the tournament on Friday to determine the final standings. England and Japan play for fifth place, among 11 games set at SDSU on Friday.
– Staff and wire reports
