Women's World Lacrosse U20 Championship: China aims for playoff spot after Puerto Rico loss
China's hopes of reaching the quarterfinals of the Women's U-20 World Lacrosse Championship were dashed on Monday after a tight game at the Hong Kong Football Club, with a 11-16 defeat to Puerto Rico.
China still has a chance to make the playoffs, but they need Puerto Rico to lose to Germany, who are winless and have allowed 66 goals in just three games, while Puerto Rico will advance to the last eight regardless of Tuesday's result and will be ranked fifth through eighth for the quarterfinals, which begin tomorrow.
But this year's world championships will be a sign of progress for China, who are all but certain to finish third in Pool A and will play two more matches to decide places ninth through 12th. Five years ago in Canada, China finished 14th.
“From the beginning, we thought we'd finish ninth or 10th and we'll strive to get there,” China head coach Ted Sawicki said.
“That would be great. If we can do something like that, it would be a great start for lacrosse in China and I think World Lacrosse will take notice.”
China's Sarah Junlan Curley in action during their 16-11 loss to Puerto Rico. Photo: Hong Kong Chinese Lacrosse Association
Puerto Rico took the lead inside the first minute and China, ranked 14th in the world, fought back but kept the lead until the final quarter.
Puerto Rico won the first quarter 5-3 but lost the second quarter 4-3. In the second half, the ninth-ranked team outscored China 8-4.
“I think our mistakes in the first half were the reason we lost. We ran out of steam in the second half. They were a team that was too disciplined for us to catch up with,” Sawicki said.
“But our guys played great. We didn't have as much depth on the bench or turnover like they did, so that was a factor.”
