USA, England, Canada, Haudenosaunee, Korea, Israel, Netherlands, Germany and Japan all win on day three of pool playFROM FRIDAY 14 JULY 2017 GAMES—From English Lacrosse (Photos: Ady Kerry QEP)POOL AAustralia 8 v 15 USA
A dominant period midway through the first half carried the USA to a 15-8 victory over Australia to take them to the top of Pool A.
After the teams traded early strikes, USA tallied six straight goals in 11 minutes to take a 10-4 lead at half-time.
As well as the U.S. played in the first half, Australia’s goalie pairing of Elizabeth Hinkes and Bree Hussey combined for 16 saves in the contest, eight in each half.
The USA defense was relentless during throughout, consistently forcing turnovers on the ride while limiting Australia to little time in attack and as a result Jen Russell, a veteran defender for the U.S. team received the MVP.
BOX SCOREEngland 14 v 3 Scotland
Nine different players got their name on the scoresheet for the second game in a row as England ran out 14-3 winners over Scotland.
Two goals apiece for Sophie Brett, Charl Lytollis, Olivia Hompe and Laura Merrifield plus goals for Whittle, Lynch, Hayes, Lafferty and Simpson signified the perfect team performance.
England went two up early on and although Chess Gray then pulled one back for Scotland, another four without reply set the tone for the match and England never looked too troubled going into half-time leading 6-1.
Hayes picked up the MVP award after a commanding performance with 78% draw success helping the team to get on the front foot throughout which continued after the break.
The free-flowing scoring was complimented by a resolute defence led by Annie Hillier and Emma Adams who remained tight to their markers throughout the entire game really giving the Scottish attack little time on the ball.
England (2-0) will take on defending champions and unbeaten USA (2-0) at 6pm and Scotland play Canada in the game before at 3pm.
BOX SCOREWales 6 v 10 Canada
Canada went 2-0 for the tournament with a solid win against Pool A rivals Wales.
On a packed Pitch 2 in front of a passionate crowd, both teams put on a fast-paced game that was dominated in the early stages by some good goalkeeping. Katie Donohoe and Erin Walters-Williams both pulled off saves and after 20 minutes Canada only led 2-1.
However, a 10-minute spell either side of half-time proved critical as Canada hit four goals to pull away. Wales were a little over enthusiastic in their pressure defence and Canada capitalised on a number of FPS from Evans, Gait and Dobbie to go in 5-1 ahead at half-time.
The Second-half was evenly matched with both sides exchanging goals,
Ros Lloyd-Rout led the resistance for Wales, often making use of the counter-attack, hitting a second-half hat-trick to stay in touch.
While Wales were good when in possession, MVP Kaylin Morissette restricted those opportunities, dominating the draw at 72% success rate and Dobbie, Kinna, Evans and Jimerson were grateful for the chances, scoring 2G apiece as Canada took the 10-6 win.
Canada (2-0) will now look to remain unbeaten against Scotland (0-2) at 3pm while Wales (0-2) will play Australia (0-2) at 12noon.
BOX SCOREPOOL BHong Kong 4 v 11 Haudenosaunee
Haudenosaunee won this encounter after a shaky start for their second win of the tournament.
Haudenosaunnee opened the scoring only for Hong Kong to bounce back shortly after. With 10minutes played Hong Kong were just a goal behind at 3-2. The game tactics were noticeably different, Haudenosaunee pushed the transition and had a fast paced drive to goal approach where as Hong Kong tried to create opportunities off settled play.
Hong Kong struggled to break through the defence and as Haudenosaunee settled into the game they pulled away on a 4 goal run. Heading into half time they led by 8 goals to Hong Kong’s 2.
The second half started more positively for Hong Kong notching 2 goals in quick succession off a free position and a neat man up play. The comeback was short lived, Haudenosaunee extinguished Hong Kong’s hopes dropping in a final 3 goals to win the game 4-11.
#14, Wadataiwi Bomberry of Haudenosaunee took home the MVP award.
Haudenosaunee take on Switzerland in their next game on Saturday 15th at 14:30.
Hong Kong face Switzerland next on Sunday 16th at 11:30.
BOX SCOREKorea 10 v 3 Switzerland
The score line didn’t reflect the end to end nature of this match up with Korea winning out over Switzerland.
Korea opened the game with the first goal with Switzerland hitting back soon after, much to the Swiss crowds delight but failed to take a lead. Korea surged ahead with a flurry of goals. In between periods of scoring teams managed to transition the ball with possession being quite even. #11 Eunah Choi, Korea, fired in 1 more just before half time extending their lead making the score 5-1. Choi eventually took the MVP award.
Switzerland came out of the break on the offensive to mount a comeback scoring 2 in quick succession cutting Korea’s lead to just 2. Both teams defensive play stepped up denying the opposition and regaining possession allowing each team to have a series of chances that they simply failed to finish on. It was Korea that broke the deadlock muscling their way through on a long offensive set making it 6-3. From here it seemed Switzerland’s spirit had been broken and Korea steadily scored right up to the final whistle. Final score Switzerland 3, Korea 10.
Korea next play Italy on Saturday 15th at 17:30.
Switzerland will play the Haudenosaunee in their next game 14:30.
BOX SCOREPOOL CCzech Republic 8 v 16 Israel
The Steinberg sisters starred once again for Israel as they went 2-0, defeating Czech Republic 16-8.
The two teams had the chance to play the opening game of the day on the Rathbones Pitch and both teams seemed to revel in the surroundings producing a game full of goals.
Each team took their turn in getting on top as both teams put together scoring runs of 4 goals in the first-half.
Israel eventually took command in the second-half tallying 5 goals in as many minutes as they pulled away from Czech Republic.
Jessi Steinberg 6G, Ali Stienberg 3G and game MVP Courtney Miller 3G spearheaded Israel’s free-flowing attack and deserved the win.
Michaela Srchova meanwhile lead for the Czechs with 3G 1A.
Israel will next play China on Sunday at 2pm and Czech Republic face Netherlands on Saturday at 11.30am.
BOX SCOREBelgium 9 v 20 Netherlands
Netherlands put together an incredible 12-goal scoring run in the second-half to defeat their European neighbours Belgium.
The Dutch only took a one-goal lead (6-5) into half-time in a competitive and feisty first 30 minutes in which three yellow cards were shown.
But the Orange Army came out with a force and moving to a direct, aggressive game, blew the Belgians away in a spell of dominance to which they had no answer.
Sarah Sweerts dominated the draw, winning 15/21 and Hanneke Van Verseveld took advantage of the large amount of possession to finish with 6G, 1A and as game MVP.
Tulpin, Deroo and Klaber each finished with 2G, 1A for Belgium but it wasn’t enough and they will hope for better against China today at 5pm.
Netherlands (1-1) will play Czech Republic (1-1) at 11.30am today.
BOX SCOREPOOL DGermany 16 v 1 Mexico
Germany’s international experience gave them their first win of the tournament over World Cup debutants, Mexico.
Mexico started the game positively gained the first draw control and in the opening stages they looked confident. Teams exchanged possession and both pushed transition to set up for some early chances.
Germany stuck to their game plan of high pressure defence and long periods of possession in attack to grind down Mexico. Mexico struggled to keep the ball with numerous turnovers. All the while the German offense found a rhythm and began executing plays efficiently to tally 5 goals in a matter minutes. The streak continued up to half time with the score at 10-0.
The second half Germany slowed the pace of their finishing in favour of controlling the game keeping to ball out of Mexico’s hands. Mexico’s defence was clearly tiring except for goal keeper, Clara Arlid Rivas who made a handful of second half saves only for Germany to regain the ball and fire it back.
Germany’s #4, Tessa Heif, led her team in goals scoring 5. She then added 3 draw controls to grant her MVP award.
Germany next play Spain at 11:00 on Saturday 15th.
Mexico’s second game will be against Japan at 13:30 on Saturday 15th.
BOX SCORELatvia 0 v 22 Japan
Japan put on a thoroughly professional performance to see off Latvia and go to the top of Pool D.
#9 Japan dominated proceedings from the off, moving the ball well around the attack and took advantage of the opportunities they had, getting off 38 shots during the game.
Mio Takahashi led the points tally with 2G, 4A, regularly setting up her teammates to finish.
Latvia (1-1) battled on valiantly but couldn’t find way past Japan’s resolute defence and will look to bounce back on Sunday against Mexico at 11am.
Japan (2-0) will be looking to continue their good form against Mexico (0-1) 1.30pm today.
BOX SCOREOriginal story at English Lacrosse: RWLC17 Daily Recap – Day 3
