USA Women Dominate Rival Canada to Win Atlas Cup Title
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© 2025 USA Lacrosse. All Rights Reserved.
© 2025 USA Lacrosse. All Rights Reserved.
SPARKS, Md -- In the latest renewal of the premier international women’s lacrosse rivalry, the United States jumped out to a quick start and led from start to finish to defeat Canada, 18-11, in the final game of the Atlas Cup on Sunday. The USA scored on its first six shots, built a 7-1 lead after one quarter and never let up.
The USA claimed the Atlas Cup title by finishing with a 3-0 record in the tournament. Canada finished as runner-up with a 2-1 mark.
Sunday’s match-up was the fourth meeting between the rivals in the past calendar year, beginning with last September’s inaugural World Lacrosse Women’s Box Championship. The Americans have won all four match-ups, and captured the latest win on the same day that the members of the 2024 U.S. Women’s Box Team, dubbed Team One, were recognized on the field.
Ally Kennedy, one of three USA players to participate in all four events in the last year, spoke about the rivalry after Sunday’s game.
“Having this kind of a rivalry is one of the things that makes sports special,” said Kennedy, who contributed three goals in Sunday’s victory. “We know each other very well and that makes it fun. Hopefully, it fun for the fans to watch as well.”
Kennedy noted the importance of Sunday’s quick start in the latest USA victory.
“That was a huge part of our focus and game plan,” she said. “We wanted to throw the first punch, and it was exciting to start the game with that run. Plays in the sixes format develop in the blink of an eye, so it helps to be a true athlete who can do a bit of everything.”
Marie McCool jump started the USA offense with two of her game-high four goals in the opening 65 seconds of the game. Izzy Scane also added two scores in the opening quarter. While the offense was sizzling, goalie Shea Dolce anchored the defense, making five first quarter saves and six more in the second quarter as the USA pushed its advantage to 13-5 at halftime.
“Our traditional attackers have worked hard on locking down defensively,” Kennedy said. “They have never really played in a slide package and had to worry about off ball, so we have to help them to be in good spots to succeed defensively.”
Chloe Humphrey, who had a game-high five assists on Sunday, was named winner of the Titan Award as tournament MVP. She finished with 10 goals and 18 points in the three games.
Paisley Cook’s unassisted goal with 2:16 elapsed in sudden-death lifted the Haudenosaunee to an 11-10 win over Puerto Rico in the only overtime game of the tournament.
The Haudenosaunee (1-2) never trailed in this game, but Puerto Rico (0-3) rallied from a three-goal third quarter deficit to force the extra session on Delaney Rodriguez-Shaw’s unassisted goal with 35 seconds remaining in regulation.
Sierra Cockerville led Haudenosaunee with a game-high four goals and two assists, with Cook adding three goals, including the overtime winner. Goalie Paige Crandall finished with 15 saves in the game and 45 saves in three tournament games for the Haudenosaunee.
Sierra Cockerville, Haudenosaunee
Erica Evans, Canada
Nicole Perroni, Canada
Charlotte North, USA
Chloe Humphrey, USA
Shea Dolce, USA
Titan Award (Tournament MVP) – Chloe Humphrey, USA
Friday, Sept. 26
Women: Canada 22, Puerto Rico 8
Box Score | Replay
Men: Canada 24, Haudenosaunee 16
Box Score | Replay
Men: United States 23, Puerto Rico 13
Box Score | Replay
Women: United States 18, Haudenosaunee 5
Box Score | Replay
Saturday, Sept. 27
Men: Haudenosaunee 25, Puerto Rico 13
Box Score | Replay
Women: Canada 13, Haudenosaunee 6
Box Score | Replay
Women: United States 24, Puerto Rico 9
Box Score | Replay
Men: Canada 23, United States 18
Box Score | Replay
Sunday, Sept. 28
Women: Haudenosaunee 11. Puerto Rico 10 (overtime)
Box Score | Replay
Women: United States 18, Canada 11
Box Score | Replay
Paul Ohanian has worked at USA Lacrosse since 2006 and is currently the senior manager of program content. Prior to joining USA Lacrosse, he served as SID at a Division III school with a strong lacrosse tradition and learned to appreciate the commitment and passion that athletes at all levels bring to the game.
