Pictured (above): England goalkeeper Catherine Gaunt in action for her country
By Neil Goulding (English Lacrosse Press Officer, 07813 859986)
ENGLAND experienced disappointment yesterday (Saturday) as they lost out to Canada for a bronze medal at the FIL World Cup in Prague.
The national side slipped to a 14-9 defeat in front of a large crowd at the Synot Tip Arena on the last day of this year's championship.
And with defeat England missed out on the chance to win a fourth successive World Cup bronze medal having finished third in 1997, 2001 and 2005.
Champions in 1989 and 1993, England have fallen down the world standings in recent years with the United States and Australia having dominated recent World Cups.
And having finished fourth for the last three World Cups, it was Canada who finally ended their stretch of 12 years without a medal.
Having narrowly lost out 10-9 to Canada in pool play, England were confident they could raise their game for the bronze medal game.
But having slipped 9-4 down by half-time, Lois Richardson's team knew they had an uphill challenge on their hands.
Four years ago at the World Cup in Annapolis, England clinched an 11-8 victory to win bronze, having earlier beaten their opponents 11-6 in pool play.
However, Canada have impressed at this year's tournament and even ran Australia, the defending champions, close in a 12-10 defeat.
But despite their best efforts, and a fightback which saw them reduce their arrears to 12-8 down, the national team were always chasing the game in the second half.
Katy Bennett, England's top-scorer at the tournament, maintained her impressive run with two goals, as did midfielder Rachel Kirchheimer.
Midfielder Jennifer Waterfield bagged a brace, with Felicity Hermsen, Laura Merrifield and Kirsten Lafferty all on target with a goal each.
However, five goals from midfielder Amanda Friend, a hat-trick from Brooke McKenzie and doubles from Alana Chan, Crysti Foote and Dana Dobbie did the damage.
England went 6-0 down before Kirchheimer scored to get things rolling for the three-time bronze medallists.
Canada extended their lead to 9-1, before England rallied with goals from Hermsen, Waterfield and Merrifield to give themselves some momentum going into the second half.
But Canada edged 11-4 ahead with goals from Friend and Dobbie. Bennett scored to make it 11-5.
Friend then made it 12-5, only for Bennett, Kirchheimer and Waterfield to bring the score back to 12-8 with 15 minutes remaining.
Canada, though, closed out the match with further goals from Foote, Lafferty and Chan to delight their head coach Lisa Miller.
Day 9 results, Friday 26th June
15th place: Denmark 17 South Korea 3 (h/t 11-3)
13th place: Netherlands 6 Austria 18 (h/t 3-9)
11th place: New Zealand 6 Haudenosaunee 18 (h/t 3-9)
9th place: Czech Republic 15 Germany 5 (h/t 7-1)
7th place: Japan 11 Scotland 7 (h/t 6-4)
5th place: Wales 7 Ireland 12 (h/t 3-4)
Day 10 results, Saturday 27th June
Bronze medal: England 9 Canada 15 (h/t 9-4)
Gold medal: Australia 7 United States 8 (h/t 3-3)
England squad:
Goalkeepers: Catherine Gaunt, Anita Thorose.
Defenders: Alex Harle, Georgina Hurt.
Midfielders: Emily Gray, Eleonor Garnier, Annabel Kiddle, Rachel Kirchheimer, Kirsten Lafferty, Lucy Lynch, Elizabeth McCosh, Camilla Paget, Alison Smith, Jennifer Waterfield, Hannah Barnsley.
Attackers: Katy Bennett, Charlotte Finnigan, Felicity Hermsen, Laura Merrifield.
Note to editors - for more information on English Lacrosse visit www.englishlacrosse.co.uk
For the official 2009 Women's World Cup site visit www.lacrosseworldcup2009.com
Also why not visit the official Manchester 2010 World Cup site as the excitement builds ahead of next year's men's tournament www.2010worldlacrosse.com
And our social networking sites - www.twitter.com/2010_lacrosse, www.2010worldlacrosse.blogspot.com and http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6380164361&ref=ts
To contact English Lacrosse - The Belle Vue Centre, Pink Bank Lane, Longsight, Manchester, M12 5GL. Tel: 0161 227 3626 Fax 0161 953 2459 Email: info@englishlacrosse.co.uk
ends...
