TOWSON, Md. — A rematch of the last World Lacrosse women’s championship game had a championship atmosphere as the United States defeated Canada 16-11 before a boisterous crowd at Unitas Stadium and a national television audience on ESPN2 on the opening night of the 2022 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship.
A record 29 teams are competing this year, down one from the expected 30 as Uganda was unable to make the trip due to challenges in the visa procurement process. The remaining teams will play more than 100 games over the next 10 days, leading up to the championship game on July 9.
The United States, which has won the last three world championships, never trailed in the game but got a serious test all night from Canada, which has finished as the silver medalist the last two years.
A first quarter hat trick by two-time Tewaaraton winner Charlotte North gave the United States a 5-2 lead after the opening quarter, but the teams traded goals over the next two quarters with Canada cutting the gap to two goals on five separate occasions, the last coming on Hannah Morris’ goal with 6:29 left in the third quarter that pulled the Canadians within 9-7.
The U.S. scored three straight goals over the final five minutes of the third quarter — goals by Emily Parros, Sam Apuzzo and North — to go up 12-7 entering the fourth quarter.
Canada, however, was not done. Inspired by veteran star Dana Dobbie, playing in her fourth world championship, Canada scored the next three goals — the last two by Dobbie — to once again get within two goals at 12-10.
Parros, then came up with one of the biggest goals of the game, scoring off a Kayla Treanor feed with 7:13 remaining in the game to stop Canada’s run and ignite a three-goal U.S. run that helped seal the game.
Parros was named the player of the match after a standout all-around performance with two goals, an assist, three draw controls and one caused turnover.
North led the U.S. with four goals while Apuzzo and Marie McCool each had hat tricks
Dobbie had three goals and an assist for Canada and Aurora Cordingley had two goals and two assists.
Schedule for Thursday, June 30
All of Thursday’s games will be carried in the United States on ESPN+
10 a.m. – Sweden vs. Mexico, Tiger Field
11 a.m. – Italy vs. Czech Republic, Unitas Stadium
12 p.m. – China vs. Switzerland, Lower Field
1 p.m. – Puerto Rico vs. Netherlands, Tiger Field
2 p.m. – Haudenosaunee vs. Japan, Unitas Stadium
3 p.m. – Spain vs. Hong Kong, Lower Field
4 p.m. – Ireland vs. New Zealand, Tiger Field
5 p.m – Korea vs. Israel, Unitas Stadium
7 p.m. – Germany vs. Wales, Tiger Field
8 p.m. – Australia vs. England, Unitas Stadium
