LoPinto and McCool spark USA Women in 36-1 rout of Brazil at Pan-American Sixes

# Game snapshot

Championship. The U.S. attack was led by Emma LoPinto and Marie McCool, who finished tied for the team scoring lead at nine points apiece. Brigid Duffy matched that total with five goals and four assists.

# Standout performances

Emma LoPinto: five goals, four assists (nine points). LoPinto described sixes as fast-paced — "Sixes is just go-go-go" — and compared it to basketball, noting the dual offensive and defensive responsibilities. She also shared a routine she uses to keep perspective: she writes PWJ (play with joy) and FFF (fix, flush, forget) on tape on her wrist.

Marie McCool (Moorestown): four goals, five assists (nine points). McCool was named the game's MVP.

Additional contributors: Chloe Humphrey and Ellie Masera each scored five goals. Ally Kennedy had eight points (three goals, five assists).

Goalkeeping: Shea Dolce and Taylor Moreno combined for 12 saves and surrendered one goal, a performance that helped maintain the team's dominance.

# Context and stakes

This Pan-American championship functions as a continental qualifier: the top five teams will earn spots at the 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships in Colorado Springs. That world event is part of the broader international sixes calendar that builds toward the LA28 Olympics, where the sixes format will be used.

LoPinto has been in the U.S. sixes player pool for some time but this tournament marked her first competitive appearance in the format. She already has international success at youth level, having scored a U.S. record 49 points to lead the U20 team to gold at the 2024 World Championship in Hong Kong. LoPinto said playing for the U.S. across events is "surreal" and that the relationships formed on these teams last off the field as well.

Nine members of the U.S. field team that won Olympic-format field lacrosse gold in Tokyo are participating in this sixes tournament in Canada, giving the U.S. a deep roster.

# What's next for the U.S.

The U.S. will face Puerto Rico in a matchup that determines a berth in Sunday's championship game. A win keeps the U.S. on track to secure one of the qualifying positions for next year's world sixes event.

# Why this matters to readers

Sixes is designed to be a higher-pace, offense-focused format with smaller rosters and quicker possessions. Performances in continental qualifiers determine which teams move on to the inaugural World Lacrosse Sixes Championships and, ultimately, influence Olympic qualification pathways. For followers of U.S. women's lacrosse, the Pan-American results provide an early look at how players are adapting to sixes and which athletes are emerging as leaders in the condensed game.

# Takeaway quote

LoPinto: "We're hopefully competing towards the Olympics, which is unbelievable. It's been such a special opportunity playing for the U.S. at any event."