Lacrosse made its debut in The World Games, a non-Olympic multi-sport event hosted by the International World Games Association, as the U.S. women’s national team blanked Poland 20-0 in the opener Thursday in Wroclaw, Poland.
Attacker Alyssa Murray (Syracuse ’14) wasted no time making her presence felt. An alternate on the U.S. team that locked up its eighth FIL Women’s World Cup title just five days ago, Murray was activated for The World Games and led Team USA with 12 points on three goals and nine assists.
Despite the lopsided result — the U.S. outshot Poland 49-0 and won 18 of 22 draws — the home side earned a standing ovation for its effort. Poland, which first established a women’s program in 2013, did not participate in the World Cup and had only played in a few European tournaments before Thursday. The more seasoned Polish men’s team has competed in the last two FIL World Championship events.
Polish goalie Marta Neumann made 10 saves, five in each half.
Six teams are competing in The World Games, which features a 10-on-10 format with 35-minute running halves. Great Britain and Japan are playing at 1 p.m. (7 a.m. EST), followed by Canada and Australia at 4 p.m. (10 a.m. EST).
Attacker Brooke Griffin (Maryland ’15) added three goals and three assists for the U.S. Becca Block (Syracuse ’13) and Alice Mercer (Maryland ’16), traditionally defenders who are operating in more of a full-field capacity given the rules, scored three goals apiece.
Gussie Johns (USC ’18) got the start in goal for the U.S., allowing All-World goalie Devon Wills (Dartmouth ’06) to play the field. Wills won three draws and caused two turnovers.
Lacrosse Opening Ceremony @TheWorldGames: @FILacrosse president Stan Cockerton "It's an honor for our sport to be at our first World Games." pic.twitter.com/8cNukOqqld
— Megan Schneider (@mschneider713) July 27, 2017
U.S. Goals: Alyssa Murray 3, Brooke Griffin 3, Becca Block 3, Alice Mercer 3, Taylor Cummings 2, Kelly Rabil 1, Kristen Carr 1, Marie McCool 1, Jen Russell 1, Megan Douty 1, Ally Carey 1.
U.S. Assists: Alyssa Murray 9, Brooke Griffin 3, Taylor Cummings 2, Michelle Tumolo 1.
U.S. Goaltending: Gussie Johns (0 saves, 0 GA, 70 mins)
Poland Goals: None.
Poland Assists: None.
Poland Goaltending: Marta Neumann (10 saves, 20 GA, 70 mins)
The World Games Update
Today’s Scores
Thursday, July 27
United States 20, Poland 0
Great Britain 9, Japan 5
Canada 15, Australia 10
Upcoming Games
Friday, July 28
United States vs. Great Britain, 10 a.m. (4 a.m. EST)
Poland vs. Australia, 1 p.m. (7 a.m. EST)
Canada vs. Japan, 4 p.m. (10 a.m. EST)