Kingston, Jamaica — Team Canada has captured gold at the inaugural Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship, completing a dramatic comeback to defeat the United States 9-8 in Sunday’s championship final in Kingston, Jamaica.
Trailing 8-5 entering the fourth quarter, Canada rallied for four unanswered goals to complete the comeback and claim the first-ever Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship title.
With just 90 seconds remaining, Canada tied the game before winning the ensuing faceoff. Alex Simmons then delivered the decisive moment, scoring with 20 seconds remaining on a diving shot to give Canada the 9-8 victory.
Simmons finished the championship game with four goals and an assist, including both of Canada’s final two goals.
The victory marks Canada’s second consecutive win over the United States in men’s field lacrosse, dating back to October 2023, and adds another chapter to one of the sport’s premier international rivalries.
Canada entered the championship as one of nine nations competing for the inaugural Pan-American title and finished the tournament undefeated.
The gold-medal performance also secured Canada’s place at the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship in Tokyo, Japan, where Canada will compete among the world’s best next June.
Finn Thomson led Canada offensively throughout the championship, finishing the tournament with a championship-best 26 points on 19 goals and seven assists. Simmons finished second overall with 22 points, recording 11 goals and 11 assists across five games.
Canada also dominated at the faceoff X, finishing the championship with a tournament-best 72 per cent team faceoff percentage. Jack Oldman won 74 per cent of his faceoffs, including a crucial draw following Canada’s game-tying goal in the fourth quarter of the final.
The 2026 Pan-American Men’s Lacrosse Championship brought together nine nations over seven days, with Canada, the United States, Haudenosaunee, Jamaica and Puerto Rico earning qualification for the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship.
Final Standings
- Canada
- United States
- Haudenosaunee
- Jamaica
- Puerto Rico
- Mexico
- Colombia
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Argentina
Canada’s field program now turns its attention to the 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship, set for June 18–27, 2027, in Tokyo, Japan.
