Ireland and Mexico battled in one of the games of the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship so far, a 14-13 thriller decided by an Ireland goal with just ten seconds remaining.
Ireland improved to 4-1 with the win in placement play. Both teams have been two of the most entertaining attacks to watch in Hong Kong, China, and fans were treated to a gem at Shek Kip Mei Spots Park on Wednesday.
The teams traded three goals apiece throughout the first quarter, before Mexico went on the first run of the game, a five-goal burst in the first eight minutes of the second quarter to lead 8-3.
Mexico outdrew Ireland on restarts 9-3 in the first half, but goalkeeper Stella Quilty made five first half saves to keep Ireland in the game. Ireland recouped a goal in the literal last second of the half to make it 9-5.
Eventually, Ireland picked up steam in the third quarter after the teams traded goals in the first two minutes. Ireland scored three goals in five minutes to cut the lead to 10-9.
Natali Acosta extended the lead back to two for Mexico, but Ireland dramatically tied the game with two goals heading into the fourth quarter, with Ava Connaughton’s equalizer, her fifth goal of the game at that point, coming with under a minute to play.
Connaughton kept her hot hand going, and scored just 10 seconds into the final period. Ireland looked like it had flipped the entire game on its head with a goal from Amelie Scharf to complete the dramatic comeback from five goals down to two goals up with 11 minutes to play.
But Mexico found crucial draw controls and saves to summon a gutsy answer with a goal from Elena Torres and another from Kenall Conrad to re-tie the game at 13-13 with 2:10 left to play.
Ireland secured the game’s final possession, and to finish the rollercoaster affair, capitalized on on the last shot of the game with 10 seconds remaining on a feed from Kendra Harris to a wide-open Connaughton, who would not miss from point blank range.
Both teams’ star players traded haymakers throughout the afternoon and the goalkeeping was also excellent, as the game truly fit the bill of an instant classic.
Connaughton’s seven-goal, one-assist, game-winning Herculean effort will steal the headlines, but Ireland’s cast of attackers all stepped up. Bridget Valentine scored two goals and made four assists, including three in the second half and was named the player of the match. Harris finished with two goals and one assist and Brigid Welch added two goals.
Caroline Watts won eight draw controls and Quilty made eight saves, including two momentous stops in the fourth quarter.
Elena Torres shined again for Mexico with five goals and an assist, and five draw control wins herself. Lola Aguirre added four goals and an 11 draw control wins. Mexico won the draw control battle 17-9.
Natali Acosta and Haylen Molina each added three points and goalkeeper Bella McCullough made eight saves all in the second half.
Both teams will be in action again on Friday in the final games of the championship
