OSHAWA, Ontario — Three Stony Brook women's lacrosse alumnae took center stage on the international stage Sunday, as Ally Kennedy, Ellie Masera and Kameron Halsall competed against one another in the gold medal game of the 2026 Pan-American Sixes Lacrosse Championship.
Kennedy and Masera represented the United States, while Halsall suited up in goal for Canada, setting up a championship matchup featuring three former Seawolves. Team USA ultimately came away with the gold medal after edging Canada, 15-14, in a back-and-forth thriller. Halsall was named to the All-Tournament Team.
The United States had to battle from behind for much of the contest. After Canada controlled the early stages, the Americans took their first lead late in the second quarter on a transition goal from Sam Apuzzo. Canada responded by scoring the first two goals of the second half to regain the advantage.
The teams continued to trade momentum into the fourth quarter, with Canada taking its final lead, 13-12, on a Nicole Perroni goal just 36 seconds into the period. Chloe Humphrey eventually evened the score at 13 before Apuzzo put the United States back in front with 2:42 remaining. Canada answered just 24 seconds later when Kylea Dobson found the back of the net to make it 14-14.
Halsall came up with a crucial stop with 1:33 remaining, recording her 16th save of the championship game to keep Canada level. After a save at the opposite end by U.S. goalkeeper Taylor Moreno, Canada was called for interference, giving the Americans an extra-player opportunity.
With the shot clock winding down, Emma LoPinto delivered the deciding goal from the left wing with 38 seconds remaining, giving the United States a 15-14 advantage that it would hold through the final whistle.
Kennedy and Masera helped the United States complete an undefeated run through the tournament. The former Seawolves were productive throughout the event, including the Americans 34-10 victory over Argentina, when Kennedy totaled four goals and four assists and Masera registered five goals and two assists.
The championship continued a longstanding rivalry between the two countries. Canada had defeated the United States three times in sixes competition since 2021, including the gold medal game at The World Games in 2022, but the Americans have remained unbeaten since Lindsey Munday took over the program in 2024. Sunday's meeting also marked the 13th consecutive international women's championship event across box, field and sixes in which the United States and Canada met with a title on the line.
With their finishes at the Pan-American Championship, both the United States and Canada secured spots in the inaugural World Lacrosse Sixes Championship, scheduled for Oct. 4-10, 2027, at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The United States, Canada, Haudenosaunee Nationals, Puerto Rico and Argentina became the first five women's teams to qualify for the 16-team field.
The World Lacrosse Sixes Championship will represent another major step toward the sport's Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, where lacrosse will be contested in the sixes format.
