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Puerto Rico loss leaves China’s play-off hopes hanging by a thread

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1 month ago

August 19, 2024

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Puerto Rico loss leaves China’s play-off hopes hanging by a thread

World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship: China chasing play-offs after Puerto Rico loss

China’s hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals of the World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship were left in tatters on Monday, after they lost 16-11 to Puerto Rico in a tight game at Hong Kong Football Club.

China could still make the playoffs, but need Puerto Rico to lose to Germany, who are yet to win and have conceded 66 goals in just three games. Puerto Rico, meanwhile, are into the last eight regardless of Tuesday’s game, and will be seeded fifth to eighth for the quarter-finals, which start the following day.

However, this year’s world championships marks progression for China. They are almost certainly going to finish third in Pool A, meaning they will play twice more to decide who finishes from ninth to 12th. Five years ago in Canada, they ended the tournament in 14th.

“That’s where I thought we would end up in the first place, we’d like ninth or 10th and we’ll certainly strive for that,” Ted Sawicki, China’s head coach, said.

“That would be great. It would be a great start for China lacrosse and I think World Lacrosse would notice too, if we could do something like that.”

China’s Sara Junlan Curley in action during her side’s tight 16-11 defeat to Puerto Rico. Photo: Hong Kong China Lacrosse Association

Puerto Rico took the lead in the first minute and China, ranked 14th in the world, were chasing the game from then, but remained in touching distance right up until the final quarter.

The Puerto Ricans won the first quarter 5-3, but lost the second 4-3. In the second half the world No 9, pulled away, outscoring China 8-4.

“I think the mistakes in the first half cost us, and we ran out of gas in the second half. They’re too disciplined of a team to try to catch up on,” Sawicki said.

“But our girls played great. We really didn’t have a lot of depth on the bench or turn to like they do, so that was a factor.”