Team USA Reclaims World Cup Gold
by Clare Lochary |
Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff
Lochary in Prague: Game Blog
Box Score: U.S. 8, Australia 7
PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- The U.S. defeated
Australia, 8-7, in the gold medal game of the 2009 Federation of
International Lacrosse (FIL) Women's World Cup.
Tied 3-3 at halftime, Team USA came out swinging in the second
half with five unanswered goals before staving off a furious
Australian rally late.
U.S. goalie Devon Wills (Denver, Colo./Dartmouth '06) made seven
saves and had three ground balls to earn Player of the Match
honors. Caroline Cryer (Centennial, Colo./Duke '09) led the way
with three goals, as Team USA claimed its sixth World Cup title and
fourth over Australia. The international rivals have met in the
championship games six times since the World Cup's 1982 inception.
“The best part of this team is that they know for a fact
-- not believe, know for a fact -- that they are the best team in
the world," said U.S. head coach Sue Heether.
Australia struck first when Melissa Williams (2g) caught a feed
from Jen Adams (1g, 2a) at the 25:49 mark. The first half went back
and forth between the two teams, with three ties and two lead
changes, ending with a 3-3 tie at the break.
The U.S. struggled to adjust to a new ride scheme, which Heether
and her staff scrapped at halftime.
“We were tight today," Heether said. "This team is very
young and nerves are the one thing that could hurt us at the end."
Team USA stormed in front with a 5-0 run to open the second
half, including two tallies by Cryer. Australia gained momentum,
however, with 4:53 remaining, when Wills received a yellow card for
a push on Australian attacker Marlee Paton.
“It was dumb of me, especially since I hardly ever come
out to play the attacker,” said Wills. “I kind of
couldn’t watch for a little until they told me I could go
back in.”
Williams scored on an open net on a free position to narrow the
gap to 8-5.
U.S. backup goalie Meghan Huether (Lutherville, Md./Duke '06)
entered the game for Wills, as she served her three-minute penalty.
Australia rallied with two more goals, with Heather Williams'
second goal of the game bringing the Australians within one with
1:59 remaining.
Wills returned to make a crucial save, and the U.S maintained
possession over the last minute to preserve the win.
“We had them against the ropes, and we came up short. But
that’s sport,” said Australian head coach Sue Sofarnos.
“Australians pride themselves on never giving up. We’re
proud of our spirit.”
“It’s a certain belief that Australians have in
themselves that we’re not down until the end. Maybe the U.S.
is the same way,” said Australian team captain Stacey
Morlang.
After a grueling two weeks of World Cup play, U.S. won the gold,
Australia the silver and Canada the bronze.
“It’s amazing. I’ve never felt like
this,” Wills said. “The adrenaline is just pumping. I
could play another game right now.”
The FIL World Cup takes place every four years. In 2005, when the
championships were held in Annapolis, Md., Australia took home the
gold, leaving the U.S. with the silver. Team USA is now a six-time
World Cup champion, with gold medal victories in 1982, 1989, 1993,
1997, 2001 and 2009.
BOX SCORE
USA: Caroline Cryer (3g); Kristen Kjellman (1g,
1a); Sarah Albrecht (1g); Sarah Bullard (1g); Lindsey Munday (1g);
Michele DeJuliis (1g); Caitlyn McFadden (2a); Katie Rowan (1a).
Devon Wills (7 saves). Megan Huether (1 save).
AUSTRALIA: Jen Adams (1g, 2a); Melissa Williams (2g);
Hannah Nielsen (1g, 1a); Stacey Morlang (1g); Courtney Inge (1g);
Marlee Paton (1g). Sue McSolvin (8 saves).
FINAL STANDINGS
1. USA
2. Australia
3. Canada
4. England
5. Ireland
6. Wales
7. Japan
8. Scotland
9. Czech Republic
10. Germany
11. Haudenosaunee
12. New Zealand
13. Netherlands
14. Austria
15. Denmark
16. South Korea
U.S. women's national teams program is administered by US Lacrosse,
the national governing body of the sport. deBeer Lacrosse
is the official exclusive equipment and apparel supplier to the
U.S. women's national teams program.
