Kendra Harris starred for Ireland’s attack at the Women’s European Sixes Qualifier for The World Games 2025 in Portugal, helping Ireland claim the gold medal.
Ireland won three close games in a row in the playoffs, including back-to-back overtime thrillers in the semifinals and final. Harris finished the event with 14 goals and an assist to rank second on her team in points.
She scored a team-high four goals in the 15-13 win over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, and another team-high of four goals in the final, a 12-11 win over Czechia.
Ireland qualified for The World Games 2025 from August 7-11 in Chengdu, China, where the team will be back in sixes action in the eight-team field.
World Lacrosse spoke with Harris on her reflections from the week in Portugal.
Q: What was your favorite moment of the week in Portugal and what was the theme of the Ireland team?
Taking first place in the Euro Sixes championship and the first ever championship in Ireland Women’s Lacrosse history was special. Overall, it was just amazing to play the game we love on a world stage.
My favorite moment was creating memories that will last a lifetime with my team both on and off the field in Portugal. Our team always rallied around supporting each other and the opportunity to represent our country.
Q: What allowed the team to win three very close playoff games?
What allowed us to win those very close games was our belief in each other, the love we have with each other, the love we have for our country, and the love we have for growing women’s lacrosse not only in Ireland, but around the world. We never gave up on our dream to bring home the win.
Q: What aspect of your team’s performance were you most proud of?
I was so proud of this team because even when we were down either in the first half or the second half of the game, we never gave up or stop fighting or believing that we could win. We just knew we could win, so we fought to the very end of every game and always gave it all we had.
Q: What contributions did it take to achieve team success?
Every single person on our team contributed and played an important part in the team’s success. We all pushed through every tough moment out on the field and played our hearts out. I would also like to give a shout out to our coaches who provided us with this opportunity along with their belief and support in our team.
