WWC Day 7 Wrap: 'Passionate' Haudenosaunee Upsets Scotland

TOWSON, Md. — The Haudenosaunee are peaking at the right time — and head coach Liz Beville couldn’t be more excited about it.

On Tuesday, the No. 12 seed in the World Lacrosse Women’s Championship topped fifth-seeded Scotland 11-9 in the championship bracket, guaranteeing the team its first top-eight finish since 2013. That year, the Haudenosaunee finished seventh, the best in its history.

Could an even better finish come this week? The team’s next test comes Wednesday at 2 p.m. against No. 4 Australia in the quarterfinals.

“We’ve been putting the pieces together at the right time,” Beville said Tuesday night. “We’re super excited. We’re hitting our stride at the right time.”

No one player has fueled the team’s ascent, though there are certainly a few who deserve credit. Miya Scanlan has received two Player of the Match awards, dominating as an offensive force and draw dynamo. Having just finished her freshman year at Jacksonville, Scanlan has impressed Beville with how much she’s developed since the tryout process.

Then there’s Paige Crandall, Beville’s college goalie at Le Moyne, who’s gotten better and better throughout the tournament. She made nine saves against Scotland, one day after making five in a win over Argentina.

“People are watching. Whether you’re native or not, you’re rooting for this team,” co-captain Lois Garlow said in a team meeting Tuesday night.

“The girls are really passionate and really want to play at a high level,” Beville said. “They understand what this game means to their people and themselves, and they want to represent it at the highest level.”

CZECH REPUBLIC MAKES HISTORY

The Czech Republic are advancing to the quarterfinals of the championship bracket for the first time in history, guaranteeing the team a top-eight finish in Towson for the first time since 2005.

Anna Lottmann had four goals, two assists and three draw controls and Anna Ničová earned player of the match honors with 11 saves to lead No. 10 Czech Republic to a 14-9 win over No. 7 Germany.

“I don’t care about the saves,” Ničová said through Lottmann, her interpreter. “It’s incredible that with this young team, we made history like this.”

The Czech offense was crisp. In a pivotal two-minute stretch to end the second half, its offense scored three times — twice by Michaela Srchová (three goals, two assists) and once by Belle Martire (five goals) — to build an 8-4 lead.

Germany opened the third quarter with its own three-goal run — Jenny Markey, Tessa Helf and Jule Neubauer were responsible for those goals — to cut it to 8-7 with 9:26 left in the period.

That fluid Czech offense erupted again, though, scoring five straight goals to seal the game. Lottmann said the team’s sharp play was also refined a few days ago.

“The first time we did this was against Mexico like two days ago,” Lottmann said. “Before, we were just so anxious to go to goal because we hadn’t played in so long and there are some new faces on the team. It’s been two games that we’ve done this, and it’s perfect. It’s us.”

Even from the other end of the field, Ničová could tell the offense was on its best. Did she know that this was something her team was capable of?

“Of course,” the 34-year-old Ničová said without hesitation.

No interpreter needed.

CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET

Israel became the first team to seal its spot in the quarterfinals of the championship bracket with a 12-3 win over Mexico. England joined them as the second team in the quarterfinals with an 11-1 win over Wales. Both teams will meet in the first quarterfinal tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Unitas Stadium. Israel will make its third quarterfinal in its third appearance at the championship, while England has finished in the top eight in all of its appearances. Zoe Martin scored a hat trick to lead the way for Israel and four other players added goals. Israel’s defense caused 11 turnovers. England’s offense relied on Megan Whittle in a low-scoring affair, as she contributed six of the 11 goals. England’s defense was excellent, allowing just 14 shots and six shots on goal, with goalkeepers Brittany Read and Katherine Greenwood combined for five saves.
Australia started its playoff campaign with a comfortable 18-4 victory over Ireland and will play the Haudenosaunee on Wednesday. Stephanie Kelly and Hayley Sofarnos both notched four goals for Australia, and Ashtyn Hiron added three of her own. Australia has now posted a top-eight finish or better in all 11 of its world championship appearances.
Canada advanced to the quarterfinals after taking care of business against Puerto Rico 17-6. Canada has finished top-eight or better in all 11 of its world championships. Erica Evans scored four goals for her second game in a row. Aurora Cordingley fueled the offense as well with three goals and two assists.

PLATINUM BRACKET

Spain picked up its first win in Towson in dramatic fashion, as it defeated Switzerland 6-5 in overtime. Catalina Burguera scored three of the six goals including the sudden victory winner. Spain’s extraordinary effort on ground balls, a 19-9 advantage, helped offset a 12-3 edge in draw controls for Switzerland. Spain will face Netherlands in the platinum bracket quarterfinals.
Sweden pulled away from a stiff challenge from Argentina in the fourth quarter to win 12-10. Latvia won its second game in Towson after racing past Colombia, 13-1. The teams will face each other in the platinum bracket quarterfinals. Emma McCrea scored three for Sweden, and Teckla Jackson and Sara Björk each added two goals. As for Latvia, Laura Liepiņa registered three goals and two assists. Latvia held its opponents to just three shots total and scooped up 20 ground balls.
Korea came away with its first win in Towson after knocking off Austria 13-7. Korea advances to the platinum bracket quarterfinals, where it will face China. Anna Kim stuffed the scoresheet with four goals and two assists, while Esprit Cha and Yoori Hong each contributed three goals.

TUESDAY SCORES

Championship Bracket

(6) Israel 12, (11) Mexico 3
(3) England 11, (14) Wales 1
(12) Haudenosaunee 11, (5) Scotland 9
(4) Australia 18, (13) Ireland 4
(2) Canada 17, (15) Puerto Rico 6
(10) Czech Republic 14, (7) Germany 9

(1) United States vs. (16) Hong Kong, China, 7:30 p.m.
(8) New Zealand vs. (9) Japan, 7:30 p.m.

Platinum Bracket

(27) Spain 6, (22) Switzerland 5 — overtime
(21) Sweden 12, (28) Argentina 10
(20) Latvia 13, (29) Colombia 1
(26) Korea 13, (23) Austria 7

Jamaica vs. Norway, 7:30 p.m.

No. 17 Italy, bye
No. 18 China, bye
No. 19 Netherlands, bye

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE

Championship Bracket Quarterfinal

11 a.m.: (3) England vs. (6) Israel
2 p.m.: (4) Australia vs. (12) Haudenosaunee
5 p.m.: (2) Canada vs. (10) Czech Republic
8 p.m.: (1) United States/(16) Hong Kong, China winner vs. (8) New Zealand/(9) Japan winner

Championship Bracket Consolation

9 a.m.: (11) Mexico vs. (14) Wales
12 p.m.: (5) Scotland vs. (13) Ireland
3 p.m.: (7) Germany vs. (15) Puerto Rico
6 p.m. (1) United States/(16) Hong Kong, China loser vs. (8) New Zealand/(9) Japan loser

Platinum Bracket Quarterfinal

10 a.m.: (19) Netherlands vs. (27) Spain
1 p.m.: (18) China vs. (26) Korea
4 p.m.: (20) Latvia vs. (21) Sweden
7 p.m.: (17) Italy vs. (24) Jamaica/(25) Norway winner

Platinum Bracket Consolation