LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL (July 1, 2025) – Team Canada is officially Tokyo-bound. With a silver-medal finish at the inaugural Pan-American Women’s Lacrosse Championship, Canada has secured its spot at the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship in Japan.
After a dominant tournament run, Canada fell 21–11 to the United States in Sunday’s gold medal final. The game marked another chapter in one of the sport’s most storied rivalries, with the Americans holding the edge in recent years. Still, the Canadian squad proved itself as a rising force – combining explosive offence with disciplined defence throughout the event.
Canada battled through an early deficit, sparked by standout performances from Erica Evans and Nicole Perroni, who each tallied four points in the final. A third-quarter push brought Canada back within striking distance, but the U.S. closed the door with a flurry of goals in the final frame.
Throughout the week, Canada made a statement. The team posted convincing wins in round robin play – defeating Argentina (24–2), Jamaica (22–1), and the Haudenosaunee (14–6) – before outclassing Puerto Rico 16–7 in the semifinal.
Aurora Cordingley, Kylea Dobson, Erica Evans, Nicole Perroni, and Lauren Black all finished among the top 25 scorers in the tournament. Cordingley ranked 5th overall with 17 points, while Dobson’s 13 goals stood out as a tournament-high for Canada. On the draw, Jordan Dean was a force, dominating possessions and driving transition.
Between the pipes, Lauren Spence recorded the best save percentage in the tournament (56%), anchoring a Canadian defence that allowed just 16 goals in the first four games.
Canada also saw three athletes recognized for their tournament excellence:
- Erica Evans and Brooklyn Walker-Welch were named to the All-Tournament Team
- Erica Busk received the Spirit of Lacrosse Award for leadership and sportsmanship
With a silver medal around their necks and a world championship berth in hand, the road to Tokyo begins now.
