(Edinburgh, Scotland) The United States and Canada will face off for FIL gold for the fourth straight summer event, as the pair defeated England and Australia, respectively, in Thursday’s FIL Rathbones U19 Women’s World Championship semifinals in Scotland. Australia will take on England for bronze on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. GMT, followed by the gold medal match at 3 p.m.
Championship Bracket
USA 20, England 4
The US Women, who will be playing for a fifth consecutive gold in U19 women’s play, stayed perfect at 7-0 on the tournament with a dominating 20-4 win over England. Miranda Ibello earned Player of the Match honors for the United States with a four goal, four assist afternoon against England, leading a team effort that saw her team jump to a 14-2 halftime lead before cruising to the win with a 6-2 advantage in the second half. Lindsey Ronbeck scored seven points (5G, 2A) with Nikki Ortega (3G, 3A) posting six. In the dominant first half, Team USA outshot England 18-5 – seeing 12 turnovers in the half as well. Hannah Bray scored two goals for England, which fell to 3-4 in the tournament, losing twice to the United States and once each to Canada and Australia – both in OT.
Box Score
Canada 17, Australia 3
Canada (6-1) was also dominant against Australia (4-3), earning its first-ever trip to the final, which had seen the USA and Australia face off in each of the five played prior to this year – Australia winning in 1995 and finishing second in ’99, 2003, ’07 and ’11. Selena Lasota earned Player of the Match for Canada in its victory over Australia, assisting one goal and winning six draw controls to help power Canada to a 10-3 lead at half, after which it pulled away with a 7-0 second half. Erica Evans scored five and added an assist to lead the charge, with Danita Stroup netting six points as well on four goals and two helpers.
Box Score
New Zealand 8, Wales 5
New Zealand (4-3) upset Wales (1-6) and is set to play Japan for 5th place on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. GMT. No matter the outcome, 5th or 6th, this will be the highest finish ever for the Kiwi’s in a U19 Women’s World Championship. New Zealand finished 10th in 2007 and 11th in 2011.
Box Score
Japan 11, Scotland 2
Japan (5-2) was victorious over host Scotland (4-3) for the second time in the tournament and will face New Zealand, which upset Wales, in the 5th place game. Japan defeated Scotland on Sunday 16-2.
Box Score
Platinum Division
Germany 24, Israel 1
Germany posted the most explosive offensive performance of the tournament in its win over Israel. Israel will play the Republic of Korea for 13th on Friday at 9:30 a.m. and Germany will face the Czech Republic for 9th place at 10:00 a.m.
Box Score
Czech Republic 22, Colombia 7
The Czech Republic posted a big win over Colombia to advance to the 9th place game against Germany. Colombia will face Finland at 12:00 p.m. on Friday for 11th place.
Box Score
Finland 12, Republic of Korea 9
Finland defeated the Republic of Korea to earn a spot in the 11th place game against Colombia. The Republic of Korea will take on Israel for 13th place.
Box Score
Final Placement Games
Note: All times local to Edinburgh, Scotland. For Eastern (U.S.), subtract five hours. All games are available via (pay-per-view) stream at 247.tv
Friday
9:30 a.m. – Israel vs. Korea (13th Place)
10 a.m. – Germany vs. Czech Republic (9th Place)
12 p.m. – Finland vs. Colombia (11th Place)
2:30 p.m. – Wales vs. Scotland (7th Place)
Saturday
9:30 a.m. – Japan vs. New Zealand (5th Place)
12:15 p.m. – Australia vs. England (3rd Place)
3 p.m. – United States vs. Canada (Championship)
See more at www.u19wc2015.co.uk
