USA, Canada, Australia, Italy, Haudenosaunee, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany and Japan win day four pool matchesFROM SATURDAY 15 JULY 2017 GAMES—From English Lacrosse (Photos: Ady Kerry QEP)POOL AUSA 18 v 1 England
USA put in a first-class performance against England as they won 18-1 on Day 4 at RWLC17.
The home fans provided a passionate and vocal support from the off, but the team on the field were unable to translate it into goals on the pitch as the US, playing an extremely aggressive ride and double team defence stifled England whenever in possession.
The home side did have opportunities early on and drew the first save of the match from Devon Wills who looked assured between the posts whenever called upon.
After that moment, the USA turned on a relentless passing game, working the ball around their attack creating multiple opportunities and although Izzy McNab posted five first-half saves along with a couple of interceptions, the USA went in to the break 8-0 ahead.
England did eventually break their duck through Megan Whittle, who with five shots in the game, continued to push for the England cause.
Kayla Treanor (5G, 7A) was particularly impressive throughout, combining well with her fellow teammates to bag the MVP award.
USA face #2 Canada at 6pm after England will look to regroup quickly for their important match against rivals Australia at 3pm.
BOX SCORECanada 16 v 7 Scotland
Canada powered to victory against Scotland to take a 3-0 record into tomorrow’s grudge match with the USA (6pm).
While Canada’s previous victories had been built on solid defensive efforts, today it was the turn of the attacking unit to show off their prowess.
MVP Erica Evans hit 6 goals in an impressive display, while Morissette and Dobbie picked up 9/11 draws in the first-half to lead 8-2 at the half.
To Scotland’s credit, they rallied hard after the break and were more than a match for Canada, Chess Gray and Jenni Aiton both finishing with 2 goals as the team added five second-half goals as Scotland began to control more possession late on.
However, the damage was already done and Canada finished up deserved winners.
Scotland will still be looking for their first win against Wales tomorrow at 12noon.
BOX SCOREAustralia 12 v 4 Wales
Australia’s tough early draws pay off as they suppress a Welsh offence.
The game started in Wales’ favour winning and controlling the opening draw but they failed to put shots on target. Australia took the initiative and went on a 5 goal run in the first 20minutes. When Wales finally broke through the tough defence the Aussies hit back immediately ensuring a 5 goal lead.
Wales pushed the ball in transition in the second half but once again struggled to find the target. Late in the game, a tired Welsh defence gave away a series of defensive fouls to keep the ball with Australia who would once again find the net.
MVP was awarded to Australia’s #9 Sarah Mollison who led the team with 3 goals and 1 assist.
Australia next play World Cup hosts England on Sunday at 3pm.
Wales play another home nation Scotland on Sunday at 12:00, both teams are still in the hunt for their first win of the tournament.
BOX SCOREPOOL BKorea 10 v 11 Italy
Italy pull off a second half comeback to defeat group rivals Korea.
It was a very even start in this contest, Korea kicked the scoring off and the teams traded goals to get to 2-2. Korea then streaked ahead with a 4 goal run, #11 Eunah Choi led the charge with 2 goals and an assist.
Italy’s comeback began late in the first when they made the most of Eunah Choi receiving a yellow card. The Italians would go on to score twice whilst they had the extra man advantage. It paused at 6-2 at half time.
Italy burst out of the break carrying the comeback momentum to score 22 seconds into the second half. Korea would try their best to snuff out Italy’s passionate drive with a few goals of their own but it wasn’t enough. A 4 goal run put Italy ahead for the first time and emotions were running high as the bench erupted upon confirmation of each goal.
Korea’s #2, Anna Kim, hadn’t given up scoring twice to keep them in the mix. With 8 minutes left this game became a tense affair with the score locked at 10-10.
A single goal would separate these two teams. Game MVP, #29 Kerrin Maurer assisted #8 Gabrielle Capuzzi for her forth and most important goal of the game. It ended with a well-deserved win for Italy 11-10.
Italy play Group B leaders Haudenosaunee on Sunday at 13:30.
Korea have a rest day before they take to the field and play Hong Kong on Monday at 11:00.
BOX SCOREHaudenosaunee 18 v Switzerland 4
Switzerland had another tough day against group leaders the Haudenosaunee in their 18-4 loss.
Haudenosaunee’s offence put on a masterclass in teamwork to score on 14 assisted plays. They started the game off with their classic high tempo scoring 2 very early on. Haudenosaunee maintained the attack to go on a 6 goal run, their first of 4 scoring streaks. Switzerland put an end to the Haudenosaunee scoring with Andres finding Rickli for an assisted play of their own. Switzerland would only score one more before the half time ending 8-2.
The second half was a repeat of the first with Switzerland’s defence having difficulty against Haudenosaunee’s clinical fast break.
Haudenosaunee finished the half with 10 goals beating Switzerland 18-4. Haudenosaunee’s #4 Awehiyo Thomas received the MVP award.
Haudenosaunee next play Italy on Sunday at 13:30
Switzerland face Hong Kong next on Sunday at 11:30
BOX SCOREPOOL CBelgium 17 v 3 China
Belgium got their first ever victory at a World Cup against China spearheaded by top point scorer and MVP Deidre Perquy (3G, 2A).
Belgium hit scoring streaks of seven and eight and controlled the game throughout as nine different players registered efforts.
Xiao Xiao was a standout for China scoring twice in the second-half but Belgium raced to a convincing win.
Belgium play Czech Republic tomorrow at 5.30pm while China play Israel at 2pm.
BOX SCORENetherlands 4 v 8 Czech Republic
Four goals in eight minutes from Czech Republic’s Adela Blahovcova was the deciding factor in a low scoring contest in Pool C.
The first 20 minutes were fairly low-key while each team sized each other up with the Czechs leading just 2-1. However, Blahovcova’s goals shocked the Dutch and combined with an 80% first-half save rate for goalie Dvorakova, Netherlands were left chasing the game for the rest of the match.
The second-half again was a tight contest but the Czechs early success had already secured the game at 8-4.
Czech Republic’s #17 Anna Lottmann collected the match MVP.
Czech Republic (2-1) now face Belgium (1-1) on Sunday at 5:30pm while Netherlands (1-2) resume again on Monday against China (0-2) at 2pm.
BOX SCOREPOOL DGermany 17 v 3 Spain
Despite the best efforts of Spain’s standout goalie Katrina Reeves, Germany eased to a comfortable 17-3 victory.
Reeves tallied an incredible 16 saves, was responsible for a number of turnovers and even recorded an assist during her team’s defeat.
However, the Germany attacking trio of Kim Dressendoerfer, Lisa Neubert and match MVP Antonia Garbe all scored hat-tricks to lead the German’s attack.
The game was tied at 2-2 until Garbe scored to put her side ahead and from that point on Germany recorded a 14-1 streak to power to victory.
Germany (2-1) now play Latvia (1-1) on Monday at 2.30pm while Spain (0-2) take on Pool leaders Japan (3-0) on Sunday at 2.30pm.
BOX SCOREJapan 27 v 1 Mexico
Japan put on a thoroughly professional performance to see off Mexico and strengthen their position at the top of Pool D.
#9 Japan dominated proceedings from the off, moving the ball well around the attack and took advantage of the many opportunities they had, getting off 44 shots during the game.
Nana Konishi (4G, 8A) Mami Gondo (5G, 5A) and match MVP Hieda Saori (3G, 3A) all troubled the scorers.
Mexico (0-2) battled on valiantly to score through Daniela Eppler and will play Latvia next on Sunday at 11am.
Japan (3-0) will be looking to continue their good form against Spain (0-2) 2.30pm today.
BOX SCOREPOOL ESweden 4 v 21 New Zealand
New Zealand went 2-0 for the tournament after a commanding performance against Sweden.
Sian Keys picked up the match MVP award for her six point game (5G, 1A) combined with excellent work securing possession off the draw and taking a number of groundballs.
Sarah Butler also impressed picking up seven goals to take her tally to nine for the tournament.
Sweden did get two early goals with the score at 4-2 after 14:00 giving the Swedes hope, but New Zealand’s powerful attack proved too much in the end.
Special mention also to the Swedish goalie Mikaela Karlsson who recorded 18 saves, nine in each half, to keep the score down and make an impression on the watching fans.
New Zealand will look to finish their Pool unbeaten against Colombia at 5pm while Sweden seek their first win against Ireland at 4.30pm.
BOX SCOREIreland 18 v 3 Colombia
Sonja Egan, Caroline Peters and Rachel Ward all scored 4 goals to get Ireland’s first win at the tournament.
The Irish were ruthless in the first 30 minutes, scoring 13 goals as Ward was also central to their success dominating the draw.
Colombia did break up the Irish scoring with a goal from Carolina Rojas to make it 8-1 to wild celebrations in the stands.
Ireland’s #22 Erin Riley was awarded the match MVP award.
Ireland’s dominance continued in the second-half to put in another 5 finishing up 18-3 winners and they will look to continue the winning streak against Sweden (0-2) at 4.30pm.
Colombia (0-2) will take on New Zealand (2-0) at 5.00pm
BOX SCOREOriginal story at English Lacrosse: RWLC17 Daily Recap – Day 4
