England rallied from a four-goal second-half deficit and Megan Whittle (Maryland ’18) scored on a free position with 5.5 seconds remaining in double overtime to defeat Australia 10-9 in the bronze medal game of the FIL Women’s World Cup at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford, England.
Megan Whittle (@MarylandWLax) with the game-winner for @TeamEnglandLax in 2OT! England downs @laxaus 10-9 for bronze, first medal since '05! pic.twitter.com/SHT5GxrGiW
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) July 22, 2017
England, the host country, medaled in the event for the first time since 2005, while Australia dropped to fourth place, falling short of a medal for the first time in its history.
Tewaaraton finalist Olivia Hompe (Princeton ’17) provided the heroics in regulation, scoring three goals in the final 10 minutes and tying the game on a backhanded shovel shot with her back to the goal with 2:22 remaining.
“To play for this team and this country in front of this crowd, it’s really a dream come true,” Hompe said. “This was the game of the whole tournament.”
After an impressive defensive stand to end the first overtime, England appeared to win the game on a goal by Jennifer Simpson, but officials ruled that Whittle was fouled on the feed, placing her on the center-right hash of the 8-meter arc.
Whittle darted inside the Australia defense, scored over the right shoulder of Australian goalie Elizabeth Hinkes and waited for officials to deem her stick legal before leaping into the arms of Chloe Chan to celebrate.