USA wins Gold, Canada settles for Silver and Australia takes home Bronze with win over Great Britain in historic appearance for lacrosse at The World Games
SUNDAY 30 JULY 2017
TWG2017 GOLD MEDAL GAMEUSA 11 v 8 Canada
—Matt DaSilva, US Lacrosse (Photos: Bartosz Mokrzycki)
On Monday, nearly a month later, the team will return to the U.S. with two gold medals and the pride of knowing that if lacrosse makes it to the Olympics, people will look back on these 19 women as pioneers.
The journey culminated Sunday in an 11-8 U.S. victory over Canada in The World Games final in Wroclaw, Poland. Alyssa Murray (Syracuse ’14) scored four goals and Brooke Griffin (Maryland ’15) added three for the U.S., which broke a 6-6 tie with five unanswered goals in the second half and held Canada scoreless for more than 24 minutes to pull away.
Canada rallied late, scoring twice in 90 seconds with a chance to pull within two goals when Erica Evans (Canisius ’18) controlled the ensuing draw. But in perhaps an enduring image of what propelled the U.S. to 12 wins in 18 days — its relentless full-field pressure — goalie Gussie Johns (USC ’18) and defender Megan Douty (Maryland ’15) pressed Kaylin Morissette (Louisville ’16) to the end line and caused Canada’s 23rd turnover with 2:34 remaining. Douty scooped the ground ball and the U.S. maintained possession for the rest of the game.
The three-goal win was the slimmest margin of victory on this unbeaten trip for the U.S., which went 8-0 in the FIL Women’s World Cup and 4-0 in The World Games, an international multi-sport event featuring lacrosse for the first time.
“We told them in the locker room, ‘Regardless of what happens in the game, the sun is going to come up.’ But if you win the game, you’re going to be two-time world champions, and that will be the first time it’s ever been done,” U.S. coach Ricky Fried said. “I’m really proud of the effort they put into this team. It would’ve been really easy to win the gold medal in England, take a break and mentally check out, but they didn’t do that.”
U.S. co-captain Devon Wills, the All-World goalie who was a field player for The World Games, recognized the additional significance of the games in Poland.
“It is about pushing our sport into the next step, which is obviously the Olympics,” Wills said.
Team USA with its Gold medals at The World Games in Wroclaw, Poland on Sunday, 30 July 2017. Photo: Mike Wallin, US Lacrosse
The U.S. responded with two straight goals by Murray, a World Cup alternate who averaged seven points per game at The World Games, finishing with 12 goals and 16 assists.
Lydia Sutton (USC ’18) scored to put Canada up 3-2 at the 18:16 mark of the first half, but that would be the Canadians’ last lead of the game.
Douty, one of several U.S. defenders who saw increased time on offense in The World Games’ 10-on-10 format, converted a feed from Kelly Rabil (James Madison ’07) to jumpstart a four-goal U.S. run that ended with a free-position goal by Rabil with 2:52 remaining.
Morissette’s free-position goal with 13 seconds left in the first half pulled Canada to within 6-4. That gave the Canadians momentum going into the second half. They won the first two draws and converted on both possessions. Morissette tied the game at 6 with 29:30 remaining before the U.S. went on its defining five-goal run.
Murray (four goals, one assists) and Griffin (three goals, two assists) tied for the game high with five points apiece. Katie Schwarzmann (Maryland ’13) added a goal and two assists for the U.S. Johns made four second-half saves.
The U.S. outshot Canada 31-19 and came up with 15 ground balls to Canada’s three. Defender Alice Mercer (Maryland ’16) earned MVP honors for the game.
Allison Daley (Canisius ’11) made 12 saves for Canada, which benefitted from outstanding goalie play in all three of its losses to the U.S. in these tournaments. Morissette, Evans and Dobbie finished with two goals apiece.
In the bronze medal game, Australia avenged its World Cup loss to England, scoring the last two goals to defeat Great Britain 10-8. Courtney Hobbs (Maryland ’02) scored the go-ahead goal with 10:33 remaining and Abbie Burgess added the insurance goal at the 6:27 mark. Rebecca Lane assisted both goals to finish with a goal and three assists. Hobbs and Burgess finished with three goals apiece.
The World Games concluded with a closing ceremony Sunday. The quadrennial event moves to the U.S. in 2021. The FIL hopes to feature both men’s and women’s lacrosse in Birmingham, Ala.
U.S. Goals: Alyssa Murray 4, Brooke Griffin 3, Kelly Rabil 1, Katie Schwarzmann 1, Marie McCool 1, Megan Douty 1.
U.S. Assists: Katie Schwarzmann 2, Brooke Griffin 2, Kelly Rabil 1, Alyssa Murray 1, Marie McCool 1.
U.S. Goaltending: Gussie Johns (4 saves, 8 GA, 70 mins).
Canada Goals: Kaylin Morissette 2, Erica Evans 2, Dana Dobbie 2, Tessa Chad 1, Lydia Sutton 1.
Canada Assists: Erica Evans 1, Megan Kinna 1.
Canada Goaltending: Allison Daley (12 saves, 11 GA, 70 mins).
THE WORLD GAMES UPDATE
Today’s Scores
Sunday, July 30
Japan 19, Poland 1
Australia 10, Great Britain 8
United States 11, Canada 8
Final Standings
1. United States
2. Canada
3. Australia
4. Great Britain
5. Japan
6. Poland
GAME PHOTOS
Complete gallery. All photos: Marek Stor Photography (ShutterLax.com). Click to enlarge.
—From Australian Lacrosse Network (Photos: Marek Stor Photography – ShutterLax.com)
Like they have done all World Games, Australia came out the blocks firing with Abbie Burgess claiming the first draw to get Australia off on the right foot. After some up and down lacrosse, Elizabeth Buzzy Hinkes made a huge save on Sophie Morrill and sent Australia into offence where Burgess scored the opener after five minutes from a free position shot.
The Australian defence came up big again a minute later and Sarah Mollison consolidated on Australia’s great start making it 2-0.
Lacrosse Scotland superstar, Ailsa Stott answered for Great Britain a minute later but as quick as Great Britain got on the board, Australia responded and then some. First, Rebecca Lane made it 3-0, before Ashtyn Hiron won the ball out of the middle at the next draw and quickly found Theadora Kwas for another goal. Buzzy then came up big again for Australia and when Burgess scored her second, Australia were in complete control at 5-1.
Australia won the next draw but this couldn’t capitalise and that seemed to spark the Brits who ended a 16 minute scoreless run when Claire Faram beat Buzzy. Three minutes later Emily Gray added Great Britain’s third goal and Great Britain where back in it. Australia’s lead then all but disappeared when Morrill scored with 50 seconds left in the half to make it 5-4 and where unlucky not to go into the half tied when Alexandra Drewe put one wide just on the half time break.
The half time break did little to deter Great Britain though as Gray was able to tie it up quickly to start the second half inside of a minute of play restarting. Australia then found themselves trailing for the first time all game when Faram scored again less then two minutes later before Morrill put Australia in a two goal hole when she finished off a pass from Gray as Great Britain jumped out to a 7-5 lead.
Australia looked to be in big trouble and the toll of their intense tour was starting to show against the fresher Brits. However, Australia’s superstars rallied and Mollison and Lane combined to end Australia’s scoreless run and halt Great Britain’s momentum. Australia were starting to seize control again and five minutes later Courtney Hobbs tied it at 7-7 with 20 minutes left.
Stott showed her class with a terrific solo effort to put the Brits back in front, but that would turn out to be the only bullet left in their chamber as Mollison added her third a few minutes later to tie it back up at 8-8.
Courtney Hobbs then stole the lead back for Australia with 10 minutes left when she added her second from Lane. Stott won the ball back for the Brits as they pushed for the equaliser but Buzzy was up to the challenge again and 19 seconds later Burgess had given Australia the buffer they needed when she finished off another solo effort to make it 10-8 Australia.
Stella Justice Allen then won a critical draw for Australia as Australia were able to take some time off the clock leaving Great Britain desperate as they looked to cut the margin, but again, the Australian defence held firm, forcing several turnovers and missed shots as Australia hung on for a gutsy two goal win and the bronze medal at the first ever World Games for lacrosse.
It was an incredible performance by Australia who have been on the road for a few weeks now and following a heart breaking World Cup, and in their fourth game in four days, they were able to find something special when it looked like the fresher Brits were going to run over them.
Superstars Courtney Hobbs and Sarah Mollison were huge for Australia, with Mollison getting Australia back on the board and then the two of them scoring some huge goals in the second half to seize the ascendancy for Australia. Burgess was also at her devastating best, capping an unbelievable fortnight with a hat trick, including the final goal of the game.
Congratulations to our Australian women. They have shown nothing but absolute grit and determination all tour whilst at the same time playing some World Class lacrosse. They should be very proud of their efforts and the Australian lacrosse public should be stoked to have such an amazing squad of champions as Green & Gold ambassadors.
Australia scoring (Mollison 3-1, Burgess 3-0, Hobbs 2-0, Lane 1-2, Kwas 1-0)
Great Britain scoring (Faram 2-1, Morrill 2-1, Gray 2-1, Stott 2-0, Wimpenny 0-1, Lehovsky 0-1)
GAME PHOTOS
Complete gallery. All photos: Marek Stor Photography (ShutterLax.com). Click to enlarge.
—Shelley Maher, FIL Director of Women’s Lacrosse (Photos: Marek Stor Photography – ShutterLax.com)WROCLAW, POLAND – In a game dominated by Japan, one of the biggest highlights celebrated by everyone in attendance was Poland’s first goal at a world-class level event.
From the first draw, Japan took control and within one minute put their first goal on the board. Japan pressured early and after five unanswered goals, it was Poland’s time to celebrate.
With 12 minutes played in the first half, the crowd erupted into spontaneous applause when #33, Agnieszka Kosmala, carried the ball from just outside the restraining line, then drove on net to give Poland’s what it has been seeking since day one – it’s first goal at the TWG2017 women’s lacrosse championship. The ball was quickly taken to the bench, and would be presented to Kosmala after the match.
Japan took this goal seriously and response with eight straight goals before the first half ended.
In the second half, Poland managed to keep Japan to six goals, which demonstrated the defensive improvement this team has made in just four games.
In the end, Poland could not stop Seiguchi (4G,1A), Takemura (3G,3A) and Sato (3G) and when the final horn sounded, Japan had won their first game of the World Games in convincing style.
GAME PHOTOS
Complete gallery. All photos: Marek Stor Photography (ShutterLax.com). Click to enlarge.
