In the nine-year history of the FIL Women’s World Cup, Australia has medaled at each event, most recently earning bronze in 2013. The Aussies are the only other country to win gold, with the last time being in 2005, but have since dropped one spot every four years.

England has medaled just five times with silver in 1989 and 1993 and bronze in 1997, 2001 and 2005. The English aim to return to the pedestal and medal in front of their home crowd in Guildford, England.

“The traditional rivalry between England and Australia goes back over a hundred years,” said England coach Phil Collier. “We know that they will be very competitive and keep going to the end of the game.”

Much like Canada, England is riding its historic bronze medal won by its 2015 under-19 team in Scotland, knocking out Australia. It was the first time in the history of the U19 World Championship that the Aussies did not medal.

If the English repeat the same accomplishment, it would again be the first time Australia has not medaled at the World Cup.

AUSTRALIA

Coach: Trish Adams
2013 Finish: Bronze
All-Time Medal Count: 2 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze
Captains: Courtney Hobbs (M), Rachel Kirchheimer (M), Sarah Mollison (A), Hannah Nielsen (M)
Point Leader: Sarah Mollison (27)
Most Goals: Abbie Burgess (18)
Most Assists: Sarah Mollison (11)
Most Draw Controls: Ashtyn Hiron (13)
Most Caused Turnovers: Ashtyn Hiron (8)

TOP STORYLINE

Australia has potential.

In its pool play game against England, Australia won handily, 13-4, finishing the game with five straight goals. The Aussies won the draw battle 12-6 and outshot England 27-17. In the semifinal, they nearly upset Canada, winning the second half 3-1 and leading 6-5 with five minutes left. Despite allowing three goals, including two in overtime, for the loss, placing them in the bronze medal game instead, they showed improvement since their first and opening match against the Canadians, which was a 9-5 loss. “We are obviously disappointed with the [semifinal] result as we felt the game was well within reach,” Adams said. “This team has huge potential with a great balance of fearless youths & great experienced leaders.”

IMPACT NEWCOMER

Ashtyn Hiron, Midfield

The rising Jacksonville senior knows what it feels like to miss out on a medal after dropping the U19 bronze medal game to England in 2015. Since then, she has been one of Australia’s top all-around players, having tallied 14 points on 11 goals and three assists, as well as a team-high 13 draw controls and team-best eight caused turnovers. Inspired by her parents, John and Glenda, who both played for Australia’s national teams, Hiron, along with leading scorer Abbie Burgess, has been “damaging at both ends of the field,” Adams said.

KEY LEADER

Hannah Nielsen, Midfield

The captain may not be the leading scorer, but is a force all over the field – and opponents have noticed. After taking the semifinal on her shoulders and scoring the go-ahead goal near the end of regulation against Canada, the Canadians showed the ultimate display of respect by faceguarding the two-time Tewaaraton winner out of Northwestern. “Hannah is one of the best of the best so there’s nothing more we can do than put a faceguard on her,” Canada captain Dana Dobbie said after the semifinal. “It’s just a compliment to her and how terrific she is as a player.”

BOTTOM LINE

Australia needs to finish its shots.

With its comeback mentality, its chance of repeating as the bronze medalist is highly probable if its shots fall. In the semifinal, they outshot Canada, but only converted on 30 percent of their shots. In its pool play game against England, Australia shot nearly 50 percent. “Following the semifinal, we know we need to focus on finishing our shots and playing a full 60-plus minutes of consistent lacrosse,” Adams said. “[We need to] simply to execute our game plan.”

ENGLAND

Coach: Phil Collier
2013 Finish: Fourth Place
All-Time Medal Count: 2 Silver, 3 Bronze
Captains: Laura Merrifield (M), Ash Gloster (D)
Point Leader: Olivia Hompe (15)
Most Goals: Olivia Hompe (9)
Most Assists: Olivia Hompe & Jennifer Simpson (6)
Most Draw Controls: Camilla Hayes (11)
Most Caused Turnovers: Isabel McNab (7)

TOP STORYLINE

With home field advantage, anything is possible.

To no one’s surprise, England has the largest fan base cheering in the stands, creating an electric environment that no country has been able to match. “It gives the players a real emotional charge and helps motivate them to produce performances that those fans can be proud of,” Collier said. England is the first country to host the World Cup three times, first in 1982 for the inaugural event and then in 2001, but it’s been 12 years since it last medaled. The English hope to take advantage of a tired Australia squad after a tough battle against Canada. “Being a home final, we expect them to come with a lot of emotion behind their play. They will be just as keen to secure the bronze as we are, so no doubt [they] will come out firing,” Adams said.

IMPACT NEWCOMER

Izzy McNab, Goalie

If the USA-England semifinal went in England’s favor, Collier said goalie Izzy McNab was worthy of the Player of the Match honor. Compared to just one save for the reigning champion, McNab had seven, and then matched U.S. keeper Devon Wills with five saves in the second period before being subbed out. “Our goalie was awesome," he said. “It takes a lot of courage to keep playing when you’re such underdogs.” In total, McNab has recorded 44 saves for a 47 percent save percentage. She is helped on the defensive end by fellow newcomer, Emma Adams, who was the captain of the 2015 U19 bronze medal winners. “Our goalkeeper has had a great tournament,” Collier said.

PHOTO BY ADY KERRY

KEY LEADER

Laura Merrifield, Midfield

The respected captain has a presence on the field that’s undeniable. She isn’t the leading scorer, having seven goals and three draw controls, but her leadership is what defines the team. She has been described as the heart and soul of England. With it potentially being her last World Cup, Merrifield will put it all on the line in the bronze medal game, passing along her knowledge to 10 of England’s players, who are age 24 or younger. “We’re building for the future,” Collier said. “Obviously, Laura will be a very tough act to follow as the living legend of English lacrosse. Fans love her. If she chooses to retire, she will be sadly missed.”

BOTTOM LINE

Carry the momentum.

England’s goal, like any other country, was to obtain the gold standard, but with a loss in the semifinal, the bronze medal is its next opportunity. “We’ve beaten Australia a couple times, so we know what it takes,” Collier said after the semifinal. Without medaling since 2005, and following a historic bronze for the U19 team, with several of its players advancing to the senior team in 2017, the English need to keep pressing forward. Since their loss to Australia in pool play, they have improved, also losing to Canada 8-6, topping Wales 9-5, and giving the U.S. its best challenge yet, tying the most goals scored against the reigning champion. “We have to maintain the positive momentum that we have developed over the last three games, and build on that again if we are going to win this game,” said Collier.