Host Canada Stuns Australia With Last-Second Winner
(OSHAWA, ONTARIO) Home field advantage proved to be worth its weight in gold for Canada in their opening game at the 2013 FIL Women’s Lacrosse World Cup.
The Canadians got an all-world performance on offense from Abbey and Mandy Friend, a solid effort in goal from Katie Donohoe and a clutch goal in the final minute of regulation from Cristi Foote in a 12-11 victory over Australia under the lights at Oshawa’s Civic Recreation Complex.
And while it was only the first game of the tournament for Canada, the magnitude of the victory wasn’t lost on the squad.
Canada’s Kailyn Morissette reacts to a goal in her team’s win against Australia to open its FIL World Cup pool play schedule on Friday night.
© Tim Bates/Game Day Photography
“I don’t think we’ve actually ever beaten Australia at the World Cup,” Friend, she of the three-goal effort, said moments after. “It was a big game for us. We had the day off (Thursday) and they had a little bit of practice underneath their belts, so we want to come out strong and show that the day off didn’t matter and we could take them on.”
Friend got Canada’s offense rolling early, scoring the team’s first two goals, while sister Mandy Friend added another in the first half — her first of four — and two more came off the stick of a hometown girl of sorts as Kailyn Morissette, a native of nearby Bowmanville, Ontario, potted a pair, including one that allowed Canada to enter the halftime break down just one at 7-6.
The back and forth continued in the second half with Australia grabbing a pair of two-goal leads at different points. However, Canada never let the game get too far out of reach, often responding in short order.
Friend said the support of the home crowd helped them remain even keel most of the evening, even when Australia was at its best.
“It’s amazing. To be able to represent Canada is awesome and to be able to do it on this field with these fans, it’s just a great experience.”
—Mandy Friend, Canadian Attacker
Those fans Friend spoke of were treated to quite an ending.
Canada took a late 11-10 lead and looked primed to hold on before Australia, on a goal from Hannah Neilsen, tied things up with 4:36 to go.
A little back and forth ensued and following a huge save by Donohoe in the Canada goal with two minutes remaining, the ball went up the other way with Canada holding for a chance at a final shot.
The opportunity came earlier than they had planned, but Foote made no mistake in burying the deciding goal.
“At that point in the game, we were in a pretty good position to win,” Foote said, recalling the final play. “To get it back and Mandy dodged from the top and I just caught and ripped it. That’s all it is.”
Dana Dobbie also had a goal for Canada.
Australia, which was playing without the services of star attack Jen Adams, out with a torn ACL, was afforded one final possession, but time expired before they had a legitimate chance to put home the equalizer.
Stacey Morlang Sullivan paced the Australian offense with four goals, while Neilson added two and two assists. Sarah Mollison, Sonia LaMonica, Karen Morton and Courtney Hobbs also scored.
Canada returns to action Saturday night against England, while Australia will enjoy an off day before getting back at it Sunday night against Japan.
Canada 12, Australia 11
Player of Match – Canada’s Katie Guy
Original article: Host Canada Stuns Australia With Last-Second Winner
RESULTS FROM DAY 2
Ireland 16, Netherlands 5
Player of the Match – Irelands’s Caroline Peters
Caroline Peters led the way for Ireland with 5 goals and won Player of the Match honors. Robyn Morris also had a huge game (4G) and Victoria Devine added 2G and 2A for the Irish.
Mieke den Bakker and Sarah Wyborgh each scored 2 goals for the Dutch team.
Ireland outshot the Netherlands 32-21 in the match.
Haudenosaunee 25, Hong Kong 0
The Haudenosaunee continue to overwhelm their opponents with huge offense and defense, this time with a shut out win over Korea. The Haudenosaunee have gone to 2-0 in pool play by a combined score of 53-1.
Nine players had two or more points for the Haudenosaunee: Erin Francis (4G-2A), Naomi Walser (4G-1A), Awehiyo Thomas (3G-1A), Trenna Hill (2G-4A), Dana Issacs (2G-3A), Stacy Smith (2G-3A); Michaela Rich (2G-1A), Alie Jimerson (2G) and Marissa Haring (2G).
Finland 11, Sweden 4
Finland came out on top of this all Scandinavian match-up 11-4, as Teija Laitinen scored a hat trick (3G), Sinikka Ijas netted 2 goals and provided an assist, and Tia Baumgartner and Laura Jamsen each added 2 goals for the Finns in the win.
Teckla Jackson (3G) provided a hat trick for Sweden.
Israel 13, Scotland 6
The Israeli’s are making a strong showing in their World Cup debut, going 2-0 in pool play after a 13-6 win over Scotland.
Kimberly (4G) and Lauren Dykstra (2G-2A) teamed up for 4 points each and Alison Curwin and Jenna Block netted 2 goals apiece in the win.
Alisa Stott (2G) scored twice for Scotland and Julia Paterson, Olivia Grant, Eleanor Bygroves and Lydia Nicol each tallied a goal for Scotland.
Germany 19, South Korea 2
Player of the Match – Germany’s Anna Blank.
Four players scored hat tricks for Germany in it’s win over South Korea — Charlotte Biffar (3G, 1A), Mareile Kriwall (3G, 1A), Anna Blank (3G, 1A) and Jella Kandziora (3G).
Eunah Choi and Grace Son scored goals for South Korea.
Japan 23, Austria 2
Japan (2-0) has amassed 54 goals in their first two pool play matches.
Leading the Japanese scoring machine in this match were Ryoko Ikura (4G-2A), Mai Kemmochi (4G), Saori Hieda (3G-3A), Akiko Wada (3G-2A), Hikari Takano (2G-2A), Yuko Kobori (2G-2A), Eriko Ogawa (2G-1A), Natsuki Taniyama (2G-1A) and Nao Watanabe (1G).
Isabelle Schimek and Nicole Kuntzel scored for Austria.
New Zealand 25, Latvia 3
Player of the Match – New Zealand’s Katie Knaus
Clare Stewart-Hunter (5G), Katie Knaus (5G), MC Holdaway (5G) and Victoria Lelo (4G) led the way for the Kiwis as they improved to 2-0 in pool play with a victory over Latvia.
Gretchen Lasda, Rachel Lasda and Valerija Druzjaka each netted a goal for the Latvians, who are appearing in their first World Cup.
England 9, Wales 4
Player of the Match – England’s Laura Merrifield
England evened itself in pool play at 1-1 with a 9-4 victory over Wales.
Ruby Smith (3G) scored a hat trick for the English and POTM Laura Merrifield (2G-1A) added three points with Kirsten Lafferty netting 2 goals.
Iona Dryden, Ros Lloyd Rout, Laura Warren and Becky Thomas each scored for the Welsh team.
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