World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship: hosts Hong Kong make winning start
- City’s team beat Jamaica on tournament’s opening day, but sterner test awaits next as they face England
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Hong Kong got off to an expected winning start at the World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship with an emphatic win over Jamaica, but the city’s head coach warned their next outing against England would be a step up.
The home team won 13-2 at Mong Kok Stadium on Thursday, taking control by half-time with goals from Eloise Bolitho, Anbie Chan and Sophie Beane after Makayla Mitchell’s double had pegged them back.
Bolitho netted three more after the break and Beane scored another two of her own to provide the firepower for Hong Kong.
Next, though, come England, the world No 4 team, on Saturday at Sham Shui Po Sports Ground.
“Against England, our game plan is to play to our standard,” Gemini Fan Tak-kwan, the Hong Kong head coach, said. “Just do the best we can and try to show on the pitch what we did in training.
“We needed to be more disciplined on the defensive end. Offensively, I asked them to help each other out and run more, and they did exactly that, so we were happy with this win.”
Beane, who was selected as the most valuable player, said it felt “amazing” to play in front of the home crowd.
“I think we really came together today, and it was just so much fun,” she said. “I loved celebrating other people – I loved it when they got a goal and the whole team was hyped. That’s the best bit for me.”
Earlier, China got their tournament off to a flying start with a comprehensive 18-8 victory over Israel.
China’s balanced attack was on display with 10 assists led by a five-assist performance from Michelle Zhai, who also added two goals.
Teagan Ng led the scoring for China with five goals and was named the player of the match. Charlotte Sawicki and Lauren Lam added three each.
Jody Chu was outstanding in net with nine saves on 17 shots faced.
Racheli Levy-Smith turned in a strong performance on draw controls for Israel, winning 14 of 18, while adding two goals. Tori Bates made seven saves in goal and Corey Kumin recorded three assists.
China get a day off before facing Germany in an intriguing match-up on Saturday. Israel play again on Friday, against Puerto Rico.
Debutants Italy, meanwhile, outlasted Mexico in a 15-11 thriller at Kowloon Tsai Sports Park.
In a game where the lead changed hands early, and a 30-minute rain delay disrupted Mexico’s momentum at 8-4 in front, the third quarter proved decisive, with the European side moving into a 12-8 lead.
Cristiana Laracca was the player of the match for Italy with three goals and an assist. Casey Gilbert and Bella Germani both added four goals as their country’s attacking trio made a productive start.
Italy’s next game will be against New Zealand on Saturday, with Mexico taking on Scotland 24 hours earlier.
In the tournament’s opening game, Chinese Taipei racked up a 17-11 win over South Korea.
A dominant second quarter, during which they outscored their opponents 8-2, proved to be the difference for Chinese Taipei. Chloe King scored six goals, while Annika Wray almost matched her by contributing five.
Their team will be back in action on Saturday against Wales, while South Korea will also play on Friday when they take on Haudenosaunee.
