WLAX: Regina Oliver Named to All-World Team, U.S. Wins Sixth World Cup Title – Ohio State Buckeyes
6/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
PRAGUE, Czech Republic — The U.S. defeated Australia, 8-7, in the final game of the 2009 Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup. Team USA goalie Devon Wills (Denver, Colo./Dartmouth ’06) made seven saves and had three ground balls to earn Player of the Match honors. Caroline Cryer (Centennial, Colo./Duke ’09) led the U.S. in scoring with three goals. This is the sixth time that the U.S. has won the World Cup, and the fourth time they have defeated the Australians in the final.
Playing in seven games, Oliver collected 12 ground balls and posted 10 caused turnovers during World Cup play to make the All-World Team.
Australia struck first when Melissa Williams (2g) caught a feed from Jen Adams (1g, 2a) at 25:49. The first half went back and forth between the two teams, with three ties and two lead changes, ending with a 3-3 tie at the break.
Team USA came out swinging in the second half with five unanswered goals, creating the largest lead of the game. Then, Australia gained momentum at 4:53 when U.S. goalie Wills received a yellow card for a push on Australian attacker Marlee Paton (1g). Melissa Williams scored on an open net on a free position to narrow the gap to 8-5. U.S. backup goalie Meghan Huether (Lutherville, Md./Duke ’06) entered the game for Wills as she served her three minute penalty. Australia rallied back with another goal to make it 8-6. Then, with just under two-minutes in the game, Heather Williams scored her second to create a one-goal game. U.S maintained possession for the next minute, running the clock down to preserve the win.
After a grueling two weeks of World Cup play, U.S. won the gold, Australia the silver and Canada the bronze.
The FIL World Cup takes place every four years. In 2005, when the championships were held in Annapolis, Md., Australia took home the gold, leaving the U.S. with the silver. Team USA is now six-time World Cup champions (1982, 1989, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2009).
BOX SCORE
USA: Caroline Cryer (3g); Kristen Kjellman (1g, 1a); Sarah Albrecht (1g); Sarah Bullard (1g); Lindsey Munday (1g); Michele DeJuliis (1g); Caitlyn McFadden (2a); Katie Rowan (1a). Devon Wills (7 saves). Megan Huether (1 save).
AUSTRALIA: Jen Adams (1g, 2a); Melissa Williams (2g); Hannah Nielsen (1g, 1a); Stacey Morlang (1g); Courtney Inge (1g); Marlee Paton (1g). Sue McSolvin (8 saves).
FINAL STANDINGS
1. USA
2. Australia
3. Canada
4. England
5. Ireland
6. Wales
7. Japan
8. Scotland
9. Czech Republic
10. Germany
11. Haudenosaunee
12. New Zealand
13. Netherlands
14. Austria
15. Denmark
16. South Korea
Press Release from InsideLacrosse.com
