Four-time defending world champion United States opened the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship with a convincing win Saturday morning in Tokyo, defeating Ireland 18-5 at Oi Stadium on the first full day of competition.

Midfielder Anna Brandt celebrated her 24th birthday with a hat trick to lead a balanced offensive effort. Midfielder Cassidy Weeks and attackers Chloe Humphrey, Izzy Scane and Madison Taylor — all Tewaaraton Award winners back in the U.S. — added two goals apiece.

Twelve different players scored for the U.S., whose patience was tested at times against a deliberate Ireland squad that attempted to stretch the defense with long possessions. And while the Irish managed a near-even split on draws (USA won 14 of 27), they were done in by 12 turnovers compared to just three for the United States.

Ireland was buoyed by several American-born players with NCAA experience, namely midfielder Riley Peterson (one goal, 11 draws won), attacker Ava Connaughton (two goals) and goalie Niamh Pfaff (nine saves). Connaughton’s around-the-world finish off a feed from Brigid Welch — arguably the goal of the game — had Ireland within striking distance at 5-2 early in the second quarter.

But the Irish turned the ball over on their next three possessions and the U.S. offense got on a roll to take a 9-2 lead into halftime. It was more of the same in the second half, as the United States held Ireland scoreless for more than 14 minutes spanning the third and fourth quarters.

Former Boston College teammates Sam Apuzzo (another Tewaaraton winner) and Kenzie Kent each contributed a goal and two assists. Ally Mastroianni won seven draws for the U.S., which was playing Ireland for the first time since the 2009 iteration of this event took place in Prague, Czech Republic. The Americans improved to 69-6-1 all-time and have won 31 straight games in world championship competition.

The United States resumes pool play against the Haudenosaunee Nationals on Sunday at 9 a.m. Tokyo time (Saturday 8 p.m. Eastern in the U.S.). All games from the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship are being streamed live on World Lacrosse TV at tv.worldlacrosse.sport.

Marie McCool

Age: 29
Hometown: Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown HS
College: North Carolina ‘18
Pro: California Palms
Phillylacrosse.com HS Honors: Co-Player of the Year, 2014 at Moorestown

A leader in the midfield and in the locker room, McCool won a gold medals in 2017 and 2022 and brings experience in spades. Walker-Weinstein wants McCool to really show off her skills between the 30s.

 

                                   Marie McCool