SPARKS, Md. — The USA Select Men’s U16 and U18 teams completed their Brogden Cup sweeps in different fashions on Sunday at USA Lacrosse headquarters but looked back fondly on their USA Select experience all the same.

The USA Select U16 team bested both Team Ontario (8-4) and the Haudenosaunee Nation (11-0) in the final day of Brogden Cup competition, improving to 4-0 at the USA Lacrosse Fall Classic. They left little doubt, compiling a combined 48-9 scoring margin.

Hunter Metz (McDonogh / Baltimore Crabs) earned MVP honors for the U.S. Julien Watts was the MVP for the Haudenosaunee Nation, and Gabriele Caschera was the MVP for Team Ontario.

“I don't really like the word, like MVP,” said Metz, a Class of 2026 attackman. “It's more a team thing, and I got put in the right situation a few times. Like with Kalif Hocker feeding me the ball.”

Hocker, an Ohio State commit playing for St. Xavier (Ohio) and Resolute Ohio, and Metz worked well together through the weekend. Metz found Hocker for a low-to-high rip from about 10 yards out in the USA Select U16 team’s final game, putting the U.S. up 8-0 against the Haudenosaunee Nation.

Metz had four goals Sunday, all in the 8-4 win over Ontario. In his first experience against foes from Canada, Metz enjoyed the physical style of play.

“It was a chippy, gritty game,” Metz said. “It was fun.”

Ten players scored for the U.S. on Sunday, led by four tallies apiece from Metz and Henry Ferguson (Saint Ignatius ‘26/Resolute Ohio Black). Hocker scored three times, and Cole Carberry (Springside Chestnut Hill ‘26/Team Ten) scored twice.

Nicholas Hall (Georgetown Prep ‘25/Sweetlax Charleston) made four saves for the U.S., splitting time evenly with Grant Mauldin (Fellowship Christian School ‘25/Thunder) who made two saves.


CLINCHES BROGDEN CUP
One day after a thrilling one-goal victory over Team Ontario, the USA Select U18 men dropped a 2-1 contest to their rivals from up north — marking the sixth consecutive one-goal game in this annual rivalry.

Benjamin Wood (Deerfield Academy ‘24/3d New England) scored the team’s lone goal for a 1-0 lead less than 90 seconds into the game, but the Ontario defense held firm. Sheldon Broughton equalized for Ontario a couple minutes later, then Cade Cordingley scored the winner with 3:08 remaining in the game.

The USA Select U18 team rebounded with a 10-1 win over the Haudenosaunee Nation, locking up the Brogden Cup.

Wood was named the MVP for the United States. Team Ontario’s MVP was Jacob Keller, and the Haudenosaunee Nation’s MVP was Eli Himelein.

This was Wood’s first time going through the National Team Development Program cycle, and he said he loved every minute of it.

“It was a super cool process,” said Wood, a defenseman. “It's a great group of guys, great coaches. It's fun to get out there.”

Wood was the consummate teammate, coach Steven Brooks said.

“He just does everything,” Brooks said. “He’s a quiet kid. He does his job. He does it well. … When you're looking for a team as a whole, we want to find a guy with the biggest character, a guy that can stand out and represent USA. And here's that type of guy that just didn't open his mouth too much, but when he was on the field, you noticed him.”

2023 MEN’S BROGDEN CUP
Friday

U18M: ONT 18, HAU 5

Saturday

U16M: ONT 12, HAU 7

U18M: USA 13, HAU 1
U16M: USA 13, HAU 1
U18M: USA 9, ONT 8
U16M: USA 16, ONT 5
U18M: ONT 13, HAU 5
U16M: ONT 7, HAU 3

Sunday (all times EST)

U16M: USA 8, ONT 4
U18M: ONT 2, USA 1
U16M: USA 11, HAU 0
U18M: USA 10, HAU 1


Source: USA Lacrosse