Canada shut down Australia 21-4 in the semifinal of the women’s sixes competition at The World Games 2025 on Sunday in Chengdu, China.
Canada has advanced to the gold medal game in all three editions of The World Games and will look to defend its gold medal after besting the United States in women’s sixes 14-12 in 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama, United States.
“I’m really excited, I know we’re all really excited,” said Canada’s Maddy Baxter. “I was a part of it in 2022 and it was awesome, so I can’t wait to get back again.”
The two North American powerhouses will meet in the gold medal game on Monday at 11:30 a.m. local time (UTC+8).
Australia will face Japan in the bronze medal game at 10 a.m. on Monday.
Canada’s dialed in defense was the story of the semifinal, with its seamless movement and communication completely smothering a capable Australian attack.
“It’s a team effort and we wanted to work and make Australia play at our speed,” said Baxter. “We really took the time to watch film on them and go through kind of their plans we just tried to shut them down.”
Australia didn’t score its first goal until more than halfway through the second quarter, at which point Canada had already put in six goals. Canada’s three goals in less than a minute early in the second quarter gave it a healthy amount of breathing room.
Canada allowed 22 shots in 32 minutes, and just 14 on goal, where Lauren Spence was on hand to make 10 saves in an impressive outing. The Canadian defense forced Australia into 19 turnovers and collected 12 ground balls. Australia’s overall shooting percentage was 18%.
Offensively, Erica Evans, Nicole Perroni and Annabel Child each recorded six points. Aurora Cordingley also had three assists.
Gallery
Lauren Spence
10 saves, 72% save percentage
