USA Lacrosse Defeats Japan 26-12; Florida Assistant Coach Erica LaGrow Adds a Goal
Saturday, June 20, 2009 | Lacrosse
University of Florida assistant coach Erica LaGrow turned in a goal in Saturday's record-setting 26-12 win over Japan in Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup play.
The combined 38 points scored by both teams set a tournament record, outpacing the 36 points from Ireland's 23-13 win Friday over the Netherlands.
Munday led all scorers and won Player of the Match honors for her six goals and five assists.
“Lindsey was just fantastic. She probably could have had five or six more points,” said head coach Sue Heether.
| Pool A Schedule (Updated 6/21) |
| 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 |
| Canada def. England 10-9 |
| USA def. Japan 26-12 |
| Sun., June 21 |
| Australia def. England 15-4 |
| Canada v Japan |
| Mon., June 22 |
| England v Japan |
| Australia v USA |
|
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| Wed., June 24-Friday, June 26 |
| Quarterfinal play |
| Saturday, June 27 |
| Bronze Medal match |
| Gold Medal match |
She wasn't the only one. The diversity of offensive output from Team USA was staggering, with six players scoring multiple goals.
Attacker Caroline Cryer also contributed five goals and two assists. Kristen Kjellman and Sarah Albrecht each contributed three goals and three assists.
Sarah Bullard scored a pair of goals, and Acacia Walker, LaGrow, Whitney Douthett and Katie Chrest each scored a single goal. The entire team combined for 43 shots.
“This is a great team, a very close team," Heether said. "When we do get a lot of touches and a lot of people involved, we're at our best.”
The U.S. is now 3-0 and has a rest day before heading into Monday's showdown versus Australia, the reigning world champions. The fast-paced, high-scoring game stood in contrast to the Americans' slow starts versus their last two opponents, England and Canada.
“We really wanted to focus on coming out right from the start with a lot of energy, which we obviously didn't do in our other games,” said Munday.
Munday got things started just 1:38 into the first half, on an assist from Katie Rowan (3g, 4a), giving the U.S. a lead it never relinquished. Japan briefly closed the gap to 9-4 after midfielder Taeko Hanawa's left-handed goal at 10:52, but never got within striking distance of the American squad.
Attacker Akiko Wada (4g, 1a) was the heart of the Japanese attack, along with midfielder Kana Uwai (1g, 5a).
Team USA has Sunday off, and will face Australia at 11:30 a.m. (Prague time) on Pitch A.
By by Clare Lochary , US Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff
