BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The U.S. women’s Sixes locker room was quiet when coaches Regy Thorpe and Mandee O’Leary addressed the team for the final time at The World Games.

O’Leary thanked her team for their effort and the way they built chemistry over the six-day international event. Thorpe gave credit to the Canadians’ veteran team that won gold, and encouraged the 12 players on the Sixes team to use Saturday night’s defeat as a learning experience.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — With 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter of Friday’s matchup between the U.S. and Great Britain’s Women’s Sixes teams, Ellie Masera was lurking.

The U.S. faced a man-down situation, one of few during The World Games, and the incoming sophomore at Stony Brook found herself guarding Claire Faram when a pass was sent her way. Masera’s instincts kicked in — see ball, get ball.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The looks on the faces of the U.S. women’s Sixes team as they walked off the field were ones of excitement, and a bit of relief. After two days of up-and-down play against Japan and Australia, the U.S. got what it wanted.

As the sun set over PNC Field in Birmingham, Alabama, coaches Mandee O’Leary and Regy Thorpe could focus not just on adjustments from the game that just ended, but look ahead to The World Games semifinals — and what they were getting for dinner at Jim & Nick’s BBQ.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The message was clear inside the U.S. women’s Sixes team huddle on the practice field prior to its matchup with Japan.

As the 12-player roster leaned in to hear a message delivered by the few veterans, Haley Hicklen offered a simple suggestion.

“Let’s start the way we ended last game,” she said.

The message was met with nods of approval as they headed toward PNC Field for the second game of The World Games — the international competition featuring lacrosse for the second time.

Canada’s offense carried it into the gold medal game of the inaugural men’s Sixes championship at The World Games, but it was its defense that keyed the early momentum in a 23-9 victory over the United States in the championship match.

Canada goalie Brett Dobson made saves on the first three U.S. shots and its defense forced the U.S. into 13 turnovers in the game, including five in the opening quarter.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — As the U.S. women’s Sixes team walked off PNC Field at halftime of their The World Games opener against Australia — a half characterized by a few growing pains — Belle Smith pulled Madison Doucette aside.

The U.S. had struggled to find its offense early on and trailed Australia after one quarter. Doucette was locked in, keeping her team in the game, but both could sense the Australian team was tiring,

“‘Hey, I do transition at BC,’” Smith told Doucette. “‘That’s my job. Hit me.’” 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Shooters shoot. Even if they aren’t falling, a shooter can only get back into a rhythm by staying the course and taking what’s given.

Justin Guterding had been going through the motions of a rare shooting slump at The World Games. In three Group A contests, Guterding tallied four goals on 21 shots — an unsightly mark of 19 percent.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Adam Ghitelman’s voice carries — far.

It’s not hard to hear the gruff echoes of his instructions as he calls out cutters. He does it on the field, in the goal and on the sideline. It doesn’t matter if he’s involved in the play or observing from a distance. When it comes to defense, he’s the U.S. men’s Sixes team’s eyes and ears.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Andy Shay said he couldn’t hear it from his position on the sideline. Just about everyone else seated at PNC Field could.

During a transition chance for the U.S. men’s Sixes team on Saturday, Conrad jogged slowly up the field. In the 100-degree Alabama heat, he was using a few precious seconds to re-energize. Great Britain’s Ryan Hunns pointed to him with his stick some 20 yards away.

“He doesn’t want the ball!” Hunns yelled.

It was clear as day. So was Conrad’s response.

TOWSON, Md. — The home soil hex no longer haunts the U.S. women’s national team.

Marie McCool and Sam Apuzzo scored three goals each and Ally Mastroianni pulled down seven draw controls to lead the United States to an 11-8 win over Canada in the World Lacrosse Women’s Championship gold medal match Saturday at Unitas Stadium.

The U.S. led from start to finish, though never by more than four goals, in a closely contested final. Apuzzo also contributed two assists to earn Player of the Match honors.