New Zealand picked up its second win of the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship by a 16-9 scoreline over the host Hong Kong, China on Friday evening at Shek Kip Mei Sports Park in the 15th place match.
New Zealand finished with two wins at the championship over Hong Kong and Scotland and narrow losses to Chinese Taipei and Italy.
New Zealand opened its first cushion of the game with a three-goal run in the second quarter to head into halftime up 7-4. After an exchange of goals to keep Hong Kong within three, New Zealand took control with another three-goal run to put the game out of reach at 12-6.
New Zealand kept its foot on the gas to close the game out with four more goals.
Kano Sugawara and Sophia Webb helped New Zealand to a 19-8 edge on draw controls and an overall 32-18 advantage on shots.
Defender Piper Russell finished as the player of the match for New Zealand and collected two ground balls. Hong Kong’s usual cast of attackers were largely kept in check.
Isabelle Vrensen had two goals and two assists for New Zealand while Gemma McCall scored four goals. Ava Gatie and Dinithi Bamunusinghe each had a hat trick.
Sophia Chan made eight saves in goal for Hong Kong. Pui Pui Yeung led the attack with three goals and two assists and Anbie Chan totaled two goals and an assist.
Throughout the tournament, New Zealand’s attack was led by McCall with 19 points and Sienna Neill with 16 points. Vrensen and Bamunusinghe added 10 points each.
Goalkeeper Sam Crowther made 28 saves in six games.
Hong Kong’s attack saw the most contributions from Anbie Chan and Eloise Bolitho who both scored eight goals and one assist.
Goalkeepers Chan and Yutong Liu combined for 45 saves.
