A huge quarter-final match against the United States of America awaits England on Thursday at the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship after a dramatic 7-6 play-in victory over Mexico.
Once again, the match will face-off at the favourable (if you’re a fan watching in England) time of 11am (UK), meaning it’s another game under the lights for the lads at 7pm in Korea.
By defeating Mexico on Wednesday, and because of Ireland’s play-in defeat to Jamaica earlier in the day, England have already become the highest-ranked European side in the competition and they will pit themselves against some of the best young players in the world when the take on the US in the quarter-final.
Indeed, England’s quarter-final opponents have an impeccable record in this age group and at this competition, winning all nine previous editions since the first in 1988.
Every one of their 22-player roster plays NCAA collegiate lacrosse including a dynamic duo from the University of North Carolina with face-off specialist Brady Wambach and attacker Owen Duffy.
University of Notre Dame defender Shawn Lyght is regarded as one of the top defenders in the country just two years into his collegiate career.
The USA reached the quarter-final stage after finishing top of Group A, defeating Canada, Haudenosaunee, and Australia in the process.
In those three group stage matches, they scored 39 goals and conceded just 10, highlighting the task ahead of England on Thursday.
At the 2022 edition of this Championship, USA ran out 22-3 winners in the group stage with Ollie Allsop, Will Shirt, and Danny Hilditch bagging the England goals.
England will be looking to lean on the exceptional young talent of Archie Gold once again after he bagged another four assists against Mexico while Drew Wilkinson has 12 goals from 24 attempts in his four games so far.
England fans can follow the action through the England Lacrosse Instagram channel HERE or watch the whole game live on World Lacrosse TV HERE.