Tom Roche becomes England's most capped box player in defeat to Haudenosaunee

Captain Tom Roche became the most capped England box lacrosse player in history and bagged himself a first major tournament goal in England’s 18-2 defeat to Haudenosaunee in their final pool stage match at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships on Tuesday.

Roche earned his 36th cap of an illustrious box career that has so far seen him compete in three World Championships and two Euros competitions as England took on Haudenosaunee in their own back yard at the Mary C Winder Community Center in the Oneida Indian Nation.

To cap it all off, Roche scored only his second England goal and first at a major tournament after a quick transition saw Tom Hallam feed Roche who was one on one with the Haudenosaunee goalie.

Roche composed himself and slotted into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal from the edge of the crease, much to the delight of Roche, his teammates and the England fans in the arena.

Live on ESPN in the United States and Canada, the Haudenosaunee started quickly against England, finding themselves a goal up after just over a minute through Tehoka Nanticoke.

England were tight defensively after this and were able to pull themselves level with five minutes gone when Jack Royer let rip with England on a power play.

It would be two minutes before another goal was scored but Haudenosaunee eventually broke England down, scoring another three goals before quarter-time.

Another two goals after the break saw Haudenosaunee pull into a 6-1 lead before Roche claimed England’s second five minutes before half-time.

From here, Haudenosaunee showed why they’re one of the best teams in the world as they went on a 12-goal scoring run without reply from England to see the game finish with an 18-2 scoreline.

England will now take on Czechia in a quarter-final match on Thursday with England fans able to watch live on WL TV or follow live updates on the England Lacrosse Instagram page from 6pm (UK).

England 2-18 Haudenosaunee (4-1, 4-1, 5-0, 5-0)

England scorers: Tom Roche (1G), Jack Royer (1G), Tom Hallam (1A), Ben Page-Laycock (1A).