Pool play concluded with four games of action on Wednesday at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Women’s Lacrosse Championship, setting the schedule for the semifinals and placement matches.
Japan and Australia claimed wins against fellow semifinalists Chinese Taipei and the Philippines, to take the top spots in their pools and remain undefeated at 3-0.
Hong Kong, China defeated China 12-9 and New Zealand defeated Korea 18-6 as both teams picked up their first wins.
The competition resumes on Friday with placement matches at 10 am and 12:30 p.m. AEST, before the semifinals at 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Australia will face Chinese Taipei before Japan faces the Philippines.
The final four games will be on Saturday with seventh place at 10 a.m. AEST, fifth place at 12:30 p.m., the bronze medal game at 3 p.m. and the gold medal game at 5:30 p.m.
New Zealand ran away with an 18-6 win over Korea to finish pool play on a high note.
Tegan Walmsley was a difference maker on restarts.Nikki Fordyce led the attack with five points on three goals and two assists and was named the player of the match.
Japan claimed the top spot in Pool B with a resounding 17-5 win over the previously unbeaten Chinese Taipei.
Japan’s defense was the story of the game, keeping Chinese Taipei’s prolific attackers in check.
Megan Kitagawa, Ayame Mizuno and Miri Akiyama all recorded hat tricks for Japan, and Kitagawa took home player of the match honors with her five-point total.
“We just have a great connection, and all of the players from the goalie to the attackers are all working really well together,” added Kitagawa after the match.
Hong Kong, China pulled away from China with a crucial 4-1 frame in the third quarter en-route to a 12-9 win.
Vanessa Yu led the attack for Hong Kong with three goals. Mya Wang was dominant on draw controls, which was crucial to Hong Kong’s possession advantage on the day. The player of the game was Ka Hei Hui, a key playmaker in attack.
Charlotte Sawicki scored four goals for China in defeat. Goalkeeper Jody Chu also made double-digit saves.
Australia closed the slate of action with a 14-5 win over the Philippines to take the top spot in Pool A, setting up a semifinal match against Chinese Taipei on Friday.
Eight different players scored for Australia, led by Theadora Kwas’s four-goal outing. Bonnie Yu scored three goals on three shots.
Midfielder Miriam Suares-Jury was named the player of the game.
