Canada, USA, Haudenosaunee, Italy, Israel, Czech Republic, Japan, Latvia, New Zealand and Sweden all win their opening pool matchesFROM THURSDAY 13 JULY 2017 GAMES—From English Lacrosse (Photos: Ady Kerry QEP)POOL ACanada 9 v 5 Australia
Dana Dobbie produced a second half masterclass to drive Canada to victory in a crucial opening match against rivals Australia.
The veteran Canadian, Dobbie, scored four goals and secured 8 draw controls as she was at the heart of everything that was good about the 2013 silver-medallists’ performance.
In a nip-tuck first-half in which both sides traded goals, Canada found late replacement Australia goalie Lizzie Hinkes in fine form making five first half saves to keep the game tied at 4-4 after 30 minutes.
Hinkes was only called up as a replacement after long-time Aussie stalwart Sue McSolvin was ruled out through injury.
Dobbie’s prescence upfront leading the play was complimented by Canada’s strong defence with goalie Katie Donohoe making saves at some crucial moments to deny the green and gold a route back in to the match.
Australia went 28 scorless second half minutes in which time Dobbie, awarded match MVP, had hit four goals and took the game away from Australia, laying down a marker to the other title challengers.
Canada will next play Wales tomorrow at 2pm while it doesn’t get any easier for Australia who take on USA at 3pm.
BOX SCOREUSA 19 v 3 Scotland
USA showed exactly why they are the reigning champions in a thoroughly clinical display against Scotland.
Brooke Griffin and Kelly Rabil led USA’s tally with 4G apiece while Marie McCool and Kayla Treanor each netted a hat-trick.
The US come straight out of the blocks and were 2-0 up within 90 seconds. A high-tempo attack and typically aggressive defence set the tone from the off and that continued through the half as they posted 13 goals.
After the break, USA went into possession mode and often looked to play keep ball, tiring out the Scottish defence and create further openings to allow the team to take their final total to 19.
Ailsa Stott, Mollie Maclean and Jenni Aiton all got on the scoresheet for Scotland in an as expected touch match and will be hoping for better fortunes tomorrow against hosts England at 6pm.
Meanwhile, the USA face 2013 bronze-medallists Australia in a mouth-watering contest at 3pm.
BOX SCOREPOOL BHaudenosaunee 17 v 5 Korea
Haudenosaunee hit a 9-goal scoring streak in the second half to race to victory against Korea.
The first-half was a fairly even contest with the two differing styles finding themselves fairly evenly matched.
Haudenosaunee’s aggressive defence and direct running caused multiple turnovers and scoring opportunities, while Korea’s passing gave them long periods of possession albeit producing limited end product.
However, Haudenosaunee eventually took a stranglehold and never let go to turn out comfortable winners in the end.
Ahewiyo Thomas picked up the MVP award, with three goals and an assist and will face Hong Kong (0-1) tomorrow at 2.30pm with Korea facing Switzerland (0-0) at 5.30pm.
BOX SCOREHong Kong 8 v 12 Italy
Women’s World Cup debutants, Italy, experienced a winning start to life at the highest level after squeezing past Hong Kong in a closely fought contest.
Gabrielle Capuzzi (5G) and MVP Kerrin Maurer (2G, 4A) were instrumental in Italy’s offense and key in securing win against their opponents who suffered a 6-1 goal streak either side of half-time to put Italy in the ascendency.
Hiu Tan Liu came on in the second half in goal for Hong Kong and had a wonderful match making 10 saves at a 71% save percentage and ultimately helped to minimise the score line.
Italy will look to build on this victory against Korea (0-1) on Saturday at 5.30pm while Hong Kong will look to avenge their loss against Haudenosaunee (1-0) tomorrow at 2.30pm.
BOX SCOREPOOL CIsrael 17 v 3 Netherlands
Israel (#8) started RWLC17 in commanding fashion with a 17-3 victory over Netherlands.
Israel dominated from first to last, scoring after just 46 seconds through match MVP Jessi Steinberg and never looked like giving up their lead.
Steinberg was a threat throughout finding the net six times and assisting twice, for which the Dutch didn’t have an answer.
Netherlands will hope for some better luck tomorrow as they take on neighbours Belgium at 11am while Israel will look to continue to the winning streak against Czech Republic at 12noon on the Rathbones Pitch.
BOX SCORECzech Republic 30 v 1 China
Czech Republic got their 2017 campaign off to the perfect start with a commanding victory over World Cup debutants China.
Michaela Srchova tallied 11 points (7G, 4A), while 16-year-old Marketa Malinovska claimed the MVP award for her eight point contribution (6G, 2A).
There was a moment of history for China when Xiao Xiao scored their first ever goal at a Women’s World Cup 10 minutes into the second half and took away the match ball afterwards in recognition.
Czech Republic next face Israel (1-0) at 12:00 tomorrow, and China play Belgium on Saturday at 17:00
BOX SCOREPOOL DJapan 10 v 9 Germany
Japan squared off against Germany in a fierce and hotly contested battle for the Pool D opening game. The teams traded the lead multiple times before settling at 5-5 at half time. Japans dominance of the possession lead them to victory as they remained in front throughout the second half.
Two very different styles met on the field, the German side had a strong resilient defence and played well without the ball for long periods of time, scoring off well executed counter attacks. Japan were fast to break and maintained a high tempo whilst moving the ball in attack. Star of the show and game MVP Kim Dressendörfer scored 4 goals to always keep Germany within reach of Japan.
Japan came out in the second half determined to keep the ball from their opposition, holding on for a near three-minute-long stint of possession and finished it with a goal. Hikari Takano led the team in draw controls helping distribute the ball to 8 different goal scorers.
Germany take to the field next on Friday to play Mexico at 11:30 while Japan will play against Latvia at 17:00.
BOX SCORELatvia 9 v 6 Spain
From the first whistle Latvia took the game to Spain scoring early in the first half. Latvia demonstrated control in possession but didn’t always convert that into scoring leaving it open for Spain.
Spain put in a good defensive effort led the by match MVP, Katrina Reeves who made 12 saves on the day keeping her team in the contest. Whilst their offensive chances were few and far between, Spain made sure to capitalise on them and were only down by 2 at half time.
The teams alternated scoring through the second half with Latvia’s top goal scorer, Suzanna Penikis, being the real difference as she finished the game on 6 goals. Spain put up a good fight but Latvia’s high tempo play and superior possession granted them the win.
Latvia will next play Japan today at 5pm.
Spain face Germany in their next game on Saturday at 11am.
BOX SCOREPOOL ENew Zealand 10 v 5 Ireland
New Zealand triumphed in an early morning battle between the top two ranked sides in Pool E.
#11 New Zealand overcame #10 Ireland as Victoria Lelo spearheaded the Female Ferns attack with 4 goals.
Rachel Ward kept New Zealand honest with a hat-trick of her own, but Ireland were guilty of conceding too many fouls and their opponents continued to take advantage of the numerical difference, Noreen Andersen receiving a Yellow/Red in the space of 10 minutes in the second half.
Both teams have a day off tomorrow before New Zealand play Sweden at 4.30pm and Ireland take on Colombia at 2.00pm.
BOX SCORESweden 14 v 2 Colombia
Sweden logged a convincing 14-2 victory after a shaky start against Colombia.
With the score at 2-2 after the first 15minutes the game was anyone’s for the taking. Sweden opened the scoring but Colombia kept up, all was looking promising for the South American side in their debut at a World Cup. Sweden began to settle into the game dispelling the nerves of the occasion to go on a 4-goal run taking them into half time at 6-2.
In the second half Sweden controlled the game creating plenty of attacking opportunities. Colombia’s goal tender, Barbosa Murcia, did well to fend off the barrage of shots until late in the second half where she was escorted from play due to injury. Both teams displayed wonderful sportsmanship applauding her performance as she left the field to be treated.
Bim Boijsen led Sweden’s offensive charge with 4 goals at 80% success rate earning her match MVP. Despite their best efforts Colombia struggled to get back into the game as Sweden found their form finishing the game 14-2.
Sweden will take to the field on Saturday 15th to play New Zealand at 4.30pm Colombia will play Ireland on Saturday 15th at 2pm.
BOX SCOREOriginal story at English Lacrosse: RWLC17 Daily Recap – Day 2
