Trailing by three goals with under 10 minutes to play, Korea reeled off an improbable rally to defeat Germany 13-11 and pick up its first win of the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship on Thursday.
Both teams were in search of their first win at Hong Kong Football Club in placement play. The teams traded runs on a hot and steamy day with the first sunny afternoon in an extended stretch of days in the city.
Germany led 4-0 after 10 minutes, but Korea stormed back to take the lead with five goals in just nine more minutes. Germany tied it up two minutes later, and the game slowed down from its breakneck pace to head into halftime at 5-5.
The teams exchanged goals with for most of the third quarter, but Germany grabbed a crucial goal with under a minute to play in the frame to lead 8-7, and backed it up with a goal within a minute of the start of the next period to lead by two.
Germany then extended its lead to 11-8 with just under 10 minutes to play.
Korea found an extra gear and responded with five goals over the close of the game with two from Phoebe Kim and three in a row from Lauren Park to flip the result. Kim tied the game with under four minutes to play and took the lead with two minutes to go.
While Germany enjoyed a 16-9 advantage on draw controls throughout the game, Korea got four crucial draw controls in the fourth quarter from Park. Goalkeeper Elena Oh also made two of her 10 saves in the fourth quarter.
Phoebe Kim finished with six goals, an assist, five ground balls and two caused turnovers in an impactful performance that earned her the player of the match honor. Park added six goals and nine draw control wins.
Taryn Hilovsky nearly powered the Germany attack to victory with five goals. Nele Schmuck and Macy Zeilman each recorded three-point outings. Kiana Böhm made five saves in the first half.
Korea will close out its campaign in Hong Kong on Friday against Scotland in a battle for 17th place at 2 p.m. HKT.
Germany will finish its championship against Jamaica at 11:30 a.m.
