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GAMEDAY! #USAWLAX is off to the @RWLC17 championship pitch to take on @CanadaLacrosse in the gold medal game. @USLacrosse vs. pic.twitter.com/AGLC9ydRGN
— Megan Schneider (@mschneider713) July 22, 2017
The rain couldn’t stop Team USA today as the United States overcame the elements and a tough Team Canada on the way to a 10-5 victory in the Gold Medal game of the FIL Women’s World Cup this afternoon at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford, England.
The U.S. improved to 60-6-1 all-time in World Cup competition and clinched its eighth World Cup title, but not without getting all it could handle from Canada, which held the high-powered U.S. offense to its lowest output since an 8-7 win over Australia in the 2009 final.
Co-captain Sarah Bullard (Duke ‘11) scored a game-high three goals for the U.S. to earn Player of the Match honors. Bullard, a 10-year veteran of the U.S. national teams program, won her fourth gold medal, including an under-19 world championship in 2007 and senior World Cup titles in 2009 and 2013.
“It’s really indescribable. Even after being through this a few times before, it’s different with every single group,” Bullard said. “I’m proud of how my teammates handled it out there today and throughout this whole tournament.”
Undefeated champions. #USAWLax #ChasingRings pic.twitter.com/Zn6eBKkyKv
— US Lacrosse (@USLacrosse) July 22, 2017
Aside from Bullard, Team USA received big contributions from Marie McCool and Laura Zimmerman, who both had two goals apiece today. Kayla Treanor was held scoreless today, but she had an amazing tournament (24 Gs, 19As, & 43 total points), and her 12 points against Team England in pool play set a new U.S. single-game record.
Despite the loss, you gotta give credit to Team Canada for their effort, as not many people were expecting Canada to put up much of a challenge against the United States today. That’s not a knock on the Canadians, it’s just testament to how good Team USA was in the games prior to today.
Indeed, Team USA averaged nearly 18 goals/game, having scored 125 goals in the seven games prior to the finals. Additionally, the United States blew out Team Canada 17-3 earlier in group play. But Canada was able to make some needed adjustments from their previous outing versus Team USA, and can take some solace in knowing they held the America to its lowest scoring output since Team USA’s 8-7 win over Team Australia in the 2009 Women’s World Cup final.
“By playing a game like we did, I think we gained the belief that we can beat them,” said Dobbie. “We made huge strides since the last World Cup, and while it stings right now, I’m really excited for the future of lacrosse in Canada. “I can’t wait to get back into the gold medal game, and hopefully be on the winning side of it.”