USA Lacrosse Defeats Canada 11-4 in World Cup play; UF Assistant Coach Erica LaGrow Turns in Hat-Trick
Friday, June 19, 2009 | Lacrosse
University of Florida assistant coach Erica LaGrow turned in three goals to help the United State post an 11-4 win over Canada in Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup play.
For the second straight day the U.S. started slow before posting a convincing win in the FIL World Cup. The U.S. women trailed Canada 4-3 at the half, but blanked the Canadians in the second half to rally for an 11-4 victory to improve to 2-0 in the tournament.
Lindsey Munday led the U.S. with three goals and three assists, while LaGrow also contributed a hat trick.
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 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).
| Pool A Schedule (Updated 6/19) |
| Thurs., June 18 |
| Australia def. Canada 16-11 |
| USA def. England 17-8 |
| Fri., June 19 |
| Australia def. Japan 24-6 |
| USA def. Canada 11-4 |
| Sat., June 20 |
| England v Canada |
| USA v Japan |
| Sun., June 21 |
| Australia v England |
| Canada v Japan |
| Mon., June 22 |
| England v Japan |
| Australia v USA |
| Wed., June 24-Friday, June 26 |
| Quarterfinal play |
| Saturday, June 27 |
| Bronze Medal match |
| Gold Medal match |
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. Dana Dobbie was held to zero points. Team Canada picked up four yellow cards during the course of the game. Mandy 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.
U.S. defender Regina Oliver won Player of the Match honors for her effort in preserving the second-half shut out.
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).
Story provided by Colleen Sperry Aungst, Public Relations Manager, US Lacrosse
