Americans Reclaim World Lacrosse Women’s U19 World Championship Title
Using the stifling defense it has deployed the entire tournament, the United States of America defeated Canada 13 to 3 to win the 2019 World Lacrosse Women’s U19 World Championship at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, Saturday.
Playing in front of a sold-out crowd, the home field failed to favor Canada, which couldn’t seem to crack the American’s pressing defense. The U.S. used a balance offensive attack with spread out scoring. Sensational goals by Caitlyn Wurzbuger and Isabelle Smith late in the game punctuated the balanced American performance the entire tournament.
“I think it’s the most amazing feeling that we could’ve asked for, and been able to bring back to our country,” said Leah Holmes of Team USA. “We feel so proud to wear the red, white and blue, and to be able to go out and represent our country and wear our country’s colours. To go out and redeem ourselves from four years ago, and bring the gold back to the US is so special.”
The Americans were never challenged all tournament, displaying both an offensive and defensive punch that no team could match. U.S. Head Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller said she wanted the ‘best challenge’ in the finale knowing her team was going to be ‘hungry’. She added that the U.S. would have to play at their best to beat the Canadians for a second time.
The two teams had a combined to outscore opponents 115-17 throughout the tournament.
The Canadians had entered the game hoping to avenge an earlier loss to the Americans in Pool Play. But, in the gold medal game, the U.S. had other plans and jumped out to an early lead and never looked back.
Imposing attacker Maddie Jenner and Wurzbuger of the U.S. seemed to keep Canada on their heels most of the game. Goalies Madison Doucette and Rachell Hall continued to play great in the net. Kylea Dobson and Eve Hritzuk led Canada as they had throughout the week. Both were named to the All-Tournament team.
The U.S. team placed five members on the 10-women All-Tournament team: Jenner, Wurzbuger, Hall, Izzy Scane, and Brianne Gross.
The U.S. team was made up three high school and the rest college players, many of whom will face each other during the upcoming NCAA season.
“Well most of us are going back to college, except for three of us, including myself who are going back to high school,” said Holmes, one of the youngest players on the team. “Most of these girls are going to be competing against each other and with each other in college. Obviously, the friendships will never be forgotten, but we still have our other teams that we have to get back to.” Hiller summed up her team’s performance: “I’m just really proud of the team. I think we worked pretty hard this week, all throughout the week, on our defense. I feel pretty good about the way we played.”
–Mohamed Yusuf and Liam Cunningham reporting
TOURNAMENT MILESTONES AND NOTES
- With 22 teams, this was the largest field ever for a World Lacrosse U19 World Championship — women’s or men’s.
- There were nine teams/countries competing in the World Lacrosse Women’s U19 World Championship for the very first time.
- Team Israel surprised Team Kenya by providing the African squad with new cleats after one of the tournament’s game. The goodwill gesture trended on Twitter on Thursday.
2019 World Lacrosse Women’s U19 World Championship
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, August 1-10
Trent University & Fleming College
AUGUST 10 | FINALS RESULTS
Ireland 7 def. Chinese Taipei 5 (19th place)
Israel 11 def. Kenya 10 9:00 (17th place)
Japan 12 def. New Zealand 7 (5th place)
Australia 13 def. England 8 (Bronze Medal)
U.S.A. 13 def. Canada 3 (Gold Medal)
