The England U20 women’s team earned themselves a shot at finishing in fifth place at the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship after a 25-4 victory against Italy in their play-off match.
Freya Moody, as has been the case for much of this tournament, was the star of the show, hitting five goals and taking her tally to 20. England shared the goals around with 12 different scorers, including four goals for Carys Johnson and a hat-trick for Molly Light.
After disappointment in yesterday’s quarter-final against Japan, England had a point to prove and prove it they did, firing themselves into a five-goal lead with just under eight minutes gone in the game; Moody (2), Mather, and Habi Littlehales (2) putting England in the driving seat early on.
Ainsley James pulled one back for Italy but Millie Cant restored England’s five-goal cushion before quarter-time.
Three goals without reply at the start of the second quarter from Johnson, Light, and Charlie Bell allowed England some comfort with the score at 9-1.
A goal from 16-year-old Grace Connor was sandwiched between two Italy goals; Gabby Chiappetta striking first before Zola LeDonne grabbed one just over five minutes from half-time.
Italy started the third quarter brightly, hitting their fourth goal of the match through Casey Gilbert and, with the score sat at 10-4, England could have been forgiven for easing off and preparing for a well-earned fifth-place match.
But this young England team was determined to put in a good performance and build their confidence after the quarter-final set-back and they went on a 15-goal streak through the back end of the the third quarter and throughout the fourth without any reply from the opposition.
Bell, Emma Pearce, Cant, Moody (3), Johnson (3), Light (2), Mather, Lucy Evans, Ellie Martin, and Ella Dimbylow all scored in an impressive 25-minute scoring spree that ensured a big 25-4 victory and sets up an even bigger fifth-place match against Puerto Rico tomorrow.
England’s fifth-place match can be watched live on World Lacrosse TV from 8am (BST) HERE or you can follow live updates on the England Lacrosse Instagram page HERE.
England 25-4 Italy (6-1, 4-2, 4-1, 11-0)
England scorers: Freya Moody (5G), Carys Johnson (4G, 1A), Molly Light (3G, 2A), Millie Cant (2G, 1A), Annie Mather (2G, 1A), Ella Dimbylow (1G, 2A), Charlie Bell (2G), Habi Littlehales (2G), Lucy Evans (1G, 1A), Grace Connor (1G), Ellie Martin (1G), Emma Pearce (1G).
MVP: Ella Dimbylow.
England top points scorers (as of 22 August)
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Freya Moody | 21 (20G, 1A)
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Annie Mather | 20 (17G, 3A)
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Charlie Bell | 14 (9G, 5A)
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Rachael Ball | 13 (11G, 2A)
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Carys Johnson | 12 (10G, 2A)