Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/19/09
From Press Releases
Pottstown graduate Regina Oliver was named Player of the Match for her strong defensive effort as the United States recovered from a slow start and defeated Canada, 11-4, today in the second day of competition in the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic.
The U.S. women trailed Canada, 4-3, at the half, but blanked the Canadians in the second half to improve to 2-0 in the tournament. Oliver, an Ohio State (Class of 2005) product, anchored the defense with two caused turnovers and Lindsey Munday (Mountain Lakes, N.J./Northwestern ‘06) led the Americans with three goals and three assists, while teammate Erica LaGrow (Skaneateles, N.Y./North Carolina ’08) also contributed a hat trick.
Also from Philly, Michi Ellers (Strath Haven grad) had Ellers: one draw control, one caused turnover, and two groundballs, Whitnet Douthett (Newtown native) had two groundballs, Holly McGarvie (Ultimate Goal Lacrosse coach) had two draw controls, and captain michele DeJuliis (Ultimate Goal owner) had one caused turnovers.
Canada’s zone defense frustrated the U.S. for the first half, as the Canadians dominated on draw controls and gained an early 2-0 lead. LaGrow struck first for the Americans at 18:58 on a low bounce shot that beat goalie Kristen Haldeman.
Canada responded less than a minute later when Abbey Friend (1g) beat goalie Devon Wills (Denver, Colo./Dartmouth ’06) on a soft change-up shot. Munday and LaGrow scored back-to-back goals for Team USA to tie the game at 3-3, but Crysti Foote (1g) gave Canada its 4-3 halftime lead on an assist from Mandy Friend (2g).
While the U.S. never led in the first half, the team came out firing in the second period. Munday tied the game at 4-4 on a neat pass from Caroline Cryer (2g, 2a) (Centennial, Colo./Duke ’09) on a free position. Munday also scored the go-ahead goal on a give-and-go from Katie Rowan (1a) (Delmar, N.Y./Syracuse ’09). The Americans never looked back after gaining the lead, despite a driving rainstorm and aggressive play from the Canadian team.
Four different players scored for Canada; Mandy Friend was the team’s points leader with two assists. Former University of Maryland standout Dana Dobbie was held to zero points. Team Canada picked up four yellow cards during the course of the game. Friend picked up a red card for unsportsmanlike conduct for a blind hit on Rowan in the final seconds of the game and will thus be disqualified from tomorrow’s match versus England.
The U.S., which was tied with England 6-6 at the half on Thursday before pulling away from a 17-8 victory, will play Japan on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. EST).
SCORES
Pool A
United States 11, Canada 4
Australia 24, Japan 6
Pool B
Scotland 18, Germany 3
Wales 19, New Zealand 5
Pool C
Haudenosaunee 20, Austria 0
Ireland 23, Netherlands 13
