Haudenosaunee falls 8-6 to Wales in final pool play game at 2024 World Lacrosse U20 Women’s World Championship; Will play China in placement round

HONG KONG – The Haudenosaunee Nationals dropped a tough one 8-6 to Wales in their final game of pool play at the 2024 World Lacrosse U20 Women’s World Championship. The game was a hard fought back and forth battle throughout. The offense was led by Mia Mitchell who finished with three goals and Avery Doran added two goals. Paisley Cook won nine draws to Wales’ six. The Haudenosaunee defense played another solid game and was backstopped by outstanding performances from both goalies, as Kimora Swamp got the start and made some huge saves in the second quarter to keep it close. Sophie Powless entered at halftime and made several key saves herself to keep Haudenosaunee in the game down the stretch. 

Mia Mitchell led the Haudenosaunee offense with a hat trick versus Wales.

Mia Mitchell put Haudenosaunee on the board two minutes into the game as the defense caused a turnover and Kimaura Schindler pushed the ball ahead and Gracie Williams eventually found Mitchell who buried the shot low to give the Nationals an early 1-0 lead. Wales responded with two straight goals of their own, the first off an unforced Haudenosaunee turnover as Florrie Taylor drove down the middle of the defense and scored to tie it eight minutes in to the game. Just over a minute later Wales’ goalie Olivia Downs-Haskell made a save and outlet pass to Kaitlin Miller who found Carys Ward in transition for the goal to give Wales their first lead of the game at 2-1. Mia Mitchell responded with her second of the day as she bounced one home off the pass from Avery Doran. Doran followed up with her first goal of the day on a nice pick and roll play with Addison Jimerson to help Haudenosaunee regain the lead at 3-2 with just under 12 minutes gone in the first. Wales’ Phoebe Hurt would score off a scramble from the free position with just 12-seconds left in the quarter to make it 3-3 headed to the break.

Avery Doran added two goals to help the Haudenosaunee offense versus Wales.

Haudenosaunee’s Avery Doran bounced one to the back of the net for her second goal of the game on a feed from Jianna Lazore working behind the net to regain the lead 4-3 for Haudenosaunee. But, Wales closed the quarter with two straight from Florence Rodgers as she finished a pass from Emily Hook cutting across the middle and then buried a wrap around on a free position pass from Jenny Lomas with 15 seconds left in the half to give Wales the 5-4 lead heading to halftime. Haudenosaunee goalie Kimora Swamp got the start and made several key saves in the second quarter to keep Wales off the board.

Both Haudenosaunee goalies made key saves throughout the game to keep Wales off the board.

The tight battle continued in the second half with Wales scoring first, four minutes into the third quarter on a free position shot by Phoebe Hurt for her second goal of the game. Mia Mitchell scored her third of the game on a cross field pass from Doran to cut the lead to 6-5 halfway through the third quarter. Another stellar performance from a Haudenosaunee goalie, this time Sophie Powless, kept the game close for Haudenosaunee. But, another free position shot for Phoebe Hurt gave Wales the 7-5 advantage headed to the final frame.

Kimaura Schindler runs the ball up field versus Wales.

Haudenosaunee continued to battle in the fourth but the ball did not always bounce their way. Doran made a nice move through the defense only to hit the pipe. Tarbell slipped and fell on the questionable playing surface to give possession back to Wales just when it seemed like Haudenosaunee would seize momentum. Eventually, Powless made a save and pushed the ball ahead in transition to Lazore and Doran, who found Chloe Luther for the goal to bring Haudenosaunee within a goal with seven minutes to play. Wales went into stall mode and Haudenosaunee pressured hard but could not capitalize on any of their remaining chances. The closest being a free position shot by Paisley Cook that ended in another slip and fall on the wet field turf. Wales would seal the game on a Phoebe Jones goal off a cross field pass from Phoebe Hurt with three minutes to play to give Wales the 8-6 victory.

Paisley Cook won nine of fifteen draws for Haudenosaunee versus Wales.

Ultimately, Haudenosaunee just could not capitalize at crucial moments in the game. They just needed to see one more goal go in to build confidence. But, never really got it and they could never fully seize momentum in the second half, although it was not for a lack of effort. There were also several questionable calls in the game at crucial times that either took possession away from Haudenosaunee or gave Wales a free position shot, including an offside call late in the fourth quarter with Haudenosaunee down one goal and threatening. The Haudenosaunee bench was asking for an explanation but got nothing.

Either way, it appeared that Haudenosaunee played hard enough to win, but the ball just did not bounce their way in key moments. That’s the beauty and the beast of sports. Coming into the game with high expectations and knowing you are one win away from advancing to the medal rounds. Yet, the unpredictable nature of the game can leave you shaking your head when things do not go your way. Nonetheless, this team has been amazing to watch and there are still more opportunities to compete and play lacrosse and represent the Haudenosaunee people on the world stage. We are excited to see them bounce back and show their resilience and ability to overcome tough times.

Chloe Luther added a goal in the fourth quarter to keep Haudenosaunee in the game versus Wales.

Next Up: The loss means Haudenosaunee, who finished pool play at 2-2, will not advance to the quarterfinal medal rounds, but they will still play for placement in the ninth through twelfth place bracket. Haudenosaunee came into the tournament ranked 10th in the world at the U20 level, so they still have a chance to improve their world ranking.

10-seed Haudenosaunee vs 11-seed China at 7 p.m. Hong Kong time (7 a.m. EST) on Wednesday, August 21 from Shek Kip Mei Sports Centre.

The winner/loser will face the winner/loser of 9-seed Ireland vs. 12-seed Mexico on Friday, August 23.