Australia take care of Mexico to top Pool C, Quarterfinals next
Australia have claimed one of the top 3 seeds for the quarterfinals of the World Lacrosse Womens U20 Championship, defeating Mexico in Pool C play to finish Pool C undefeated.
With the top spot all but certain, Australia looked to increase their chances of a top 2 seed with a win over Mexico and Australia started like a team possessed racing to a 4-0 lead with Holly Plummer scoring back-to-back goals. Mexico however weren’t going to roll over and a quick double from Lola Aquirre had Mexico back within 2. The rest of the quarter would be an arm wrestle with Aguirre and Ocea Leacy bringing up their hattricks as Australia maintained a 7 – 4 lead at the half.
The first goals of the second half were always going to set the tone and fortunately for Australia they started the third the way they started the first with the combo of Miriam Suares-Jury and Ashlyn May scoring 4 goals between them to see Australia jump to an 11 – 4 lead. Mexico would respond with 2 of the first 3 goals of the last but Australia by this point had the result in hand with Australia going on to score the last 7 goals of the game, highlighted by a magic coast-to-coast charge from Jade Mangan, to see Australia through 19 – 6.
The win Australia the maximum goal difference (the maximum per game is 12), ensuring that Australia will at least tie with the USA and Canada with the Aussies now waiting to see if Korea or Israel can put up a bag and see Australia into a top 2 seeding. Australia will in the meanwhile be off on Tuesday as they await their quarterfinal opponent with the quarterfinals set for Wednesday. Australia’s likely opponent will probably be one of Ireland, England, Japan, Wales, the Haudenosaunee and Puerto Rico. Mexico meanwhile will finish third in Pool C with Italy the other team to progress if they can beat Scotland later today.
