By Mark J. Bartlett

June 21, 2023-Every “true blue” lacrosse fan is excited about the wild ride that went down at Snapdragon Stadium! The United States went all out and powered past Canada in a gripping lacrosse showdown. The scoreboard read 7-5 in favor of the home team, and the crowd was going absolutely nuts with “USA” cheers. This victory was more than just a single win for the United States. It extended their winning streak over Canada in the men’s championship to a solid three games. Additionally, their all-time record against Canada in the competition now stands at an impressive 19-4. These guys know how to dominate on the field for the Red, White and Blue!

The Stars and Stripes flew proudly over the opening ceremonies which precipitated a hard-won Team USA victory

But the action wasn’t just limited to the game itself. Thousands of fans were treated to an electrifying Steve Aoki concert during halftime. The energy was through the roof as people danced and celebrated. And let’s not forget about the festival and the grand opening ceremony, where all 30 teams gathered to kick off this epic tournament. It was a picture-perfect night in sunny San Diego, and the lacrosse community came out in full force to enjoy the festival-like atmosphere. And fans were treated to some great performances from some standout players. Brennan O’Neill, 2023 Tewaaraton award winner and a rising star in the collegiate world, made one memorable senior debut. He scored a hat trick for the United States, leaving the opposition scratching their heads. And you can’t forget about attacker Rob Pannell, who dished out two clutch assists. Make no mistake about it-on this night, Team USA came to play.

The Snapdragon Stadium press box provided a picture perfect view on a picture perfect San Diego evening

The United States completely owned the face-offs. They had an unheard-of 13-3 advantage over Canada. Trevor Baptiste and TD Ierlan were the heroes in the center, winning eight out of ten and five out of six face-offs, respectively. Defensively, the United States looked like a world superpower. They scooped up 21 ground balls, allowing Canada iwith just seven. And when it came to shots on goal, the Canadians were left equally frustrated, managing a measly 10 attempts, all thanks to the stellar performance of goalkeeper Jack Kelly, who made five crucial saves. Canada wasn’t without their moments. Clarke Petterson lit up the scoreboard with two goals, and Josh Byrne wasn’t far behind, recording two goals and two assists. They fought hard, but it just wasn’t enough to tame the American beast.

The post-game Team USA huddle was the scene of considerable celebration

The first half was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading blows like prizefighters in the ring. Canada struck first with a goal from Ryan Lee, and they pulled off a buzzer-beating goal to tie the game 2-2 by the end of the first quarter. Petterson showcased his skills in the second quarter, giving Canada a 4-3 lead with his two goals. However, O’Neill wasn’t going to let Canada steal the headlines. He answered back with his second goal of the game, leveling the score at 4-4 as we headed into halftime.

Team USA attackman Rob Pannell gives his take on the victory in a post-game interview

But here’s where things took a turn. The American defense, like a pack of hungry wolves, pounced on the game in the third quarter. They shut down Canada completely, not allowing them to score a single point. Meanwhile, the American offense unleashed a barrage of three goals, putting them in a commanding position. And to cap it all off, O’Neill sealed his hat trick with a man-up goal, assisted by the mastermind of the midfield, Tom Schreiber.

Mark your calendars because the United States is back in action in Pool A. They’ll be taking on Australia on Friday at 7 p.m. PT in what promises to be another epic showdown. And don’t you worry, Canada fans, your team will get another shot at Australia on Saturday at 4 p.m. Get ready for some high-octane lacrosse action, courtesy of the World Lacrosse Games