Gold Standard: U.S. Women’s U20 Team Wins World Championship

The United States completed one of the most dominant runs in international lacrosse history by beating Canada 23-6 in the gold medal game of the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship in Hong Kong, China. It marked the sixth time in eight tries that the U.S. won the gold medal at the women’s junior level and the U.S. outscored its opponents 211-20 while winning all seven of its games in the tournament.

In Saturday’s championship game, the U.S. outscored Canada 7-0 in the first quarter to gain early control. Canada’s Avery Morton opened the second-quarter scoring, but the U.S. answered four straight goals before Morton added a second goal late in the quarter. Kate Levy closed out the first-half scoring on a goal with just 17 seconds left to give the U.S. a 12-2 lead at the break.

Canada scored three times in the third quarter, but never got the game back within single digits and the U.S. pulled away in the final quarter. 

Madison Taylor, who helped spur the strong start with two first-quarter goals, paced the U.S. offense with six goals and added two assists. Emma LoPinto added five points on two goals and three assists and Madison Alaimo and Kate Levy each contributed hat tricks.

Shea Dolce made two key first quarter saves for the U.S. and went most of the way before Francesca Argentieri closed out the victory. The U.S. defense helped force Canada into 16 turnovers and Brigid Duffy had a pair of caused turnovers.

Maddie Epke won 14 of 18 draws in the game, capturing eight herself, and was named the Player of the Match.

The U.S. broke numerous team event records on its way to the championship:

• LoPinto was named the tournament MVP after scoring 49 points on 26 goals and 23 assists to break Kristen Waagbo’s record of 44 points set in 2003.
• Taylor scored 35 goals, breaking Waagbo’s record of 29 set in 2003
• Alaimo had 25 assists, breaking Caitlyn Wurzburger’s record of 19 set in 2019
• Epke had 110 draw controls, breaking Maddie Jenner’s record of 61 set in 2019
• Argentieri had a 2.24 goals against average, breaking Emily Geary’s record of 2.67 set in 2007

Earlier in the day, Japan beat Australia 14-5 to medal for the first time in any World Lacrosse championship. Japan’s men’s team won bronze in The World Games 2022, but that event is run by the International World Games Association, not World Lacrosse.

The U.S. led the All-World selections with six of the 10 players honored. The complete All-World team:

Lydia Colasante, USA
Shea Dolce, USA
Kori Edmondson, USA
Maddie Epke, USA
Emma LoPinto, USA
Jami Macdonald, Canada
Avery Morton, Canada
Negai Nakazawa, Japan
Miriam Suares-Juery, Australia
Megan Taylor, USA