The 2019 World U19 Women’s Field Lacrosse Championship opened with a celebration of the game’s Indigenous roots, its growth and girl power.
Young women from 22 countries decked out in the colours and dresses of their nations marched around the Justin Chiu Stadium on Wednesday night while drummers and dancers from Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations performed.
Standing out in the parade of teams however, was the Haudenosaunee Nationals U19’s, who wore red hand prints on their mouths in solidarity with the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls movement and uniform purple and white ribbon dresses.
Hosting a lot of young and new Haudenosaunee talent from Six Nations, Akwesasne and elsewhere, the Haudenosaunee Nationals have been placed in Pool E and were set to play two of the newer teams.
When Peterborough hosted the fourth U19 women’s championship in 2007 there were 11 teams. This year there are 22, the largest ever world women’s lacrosse tournament. Nine nations are competing for the first time which include Belgium, China, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Ireland.
The Haudenosaunee Nationals U19’s opened the championship on the following morning on Thursday, by handily defeating Belgium, 19-1 as the first game of the ‘ship,
It was called “a resounding statement” by the Haudenosaunee team, who were almost announcing that they are one of the teams to beat. But for Belgium, it was their first goal scored in a women’s Under-19 World Championship and a step in the progress of the program.
Thus, Jacelyn Lazore, who won the Player of the Game Award after scoring six goals for the Haudenosaunee Nationals, gave the t-shirt that came with her prize to Nina Verreth of the Red Pumas, who scored Belgiums only goal.
On Friday, the Haudenosauee Nationals went on to defeat Isreal 21-3. While on Saturday they defeated Hong Kong 24-5.
But the victories weren’t to be taken lightly, as word of their success reached others in their pool.
Puerto Rico came to play in their match on Monday night, as they worked tirelessly on the field of Trent University.
Puerto Rico led the entire game ahead, as they utilized the chemistry of three siblings on the field to power through on offence. This forced the Haudenosaunee Nationals to suffer their first loss of the tournament 12-8.
On Tuesday, the Haudenosaune Nationals went on to face Japan, who delivered their second loss 10-5. This puts their standings with two wins and two losses.
Places will be determined throughout the rest of the week, with the final championship taking place on Saturday.
You can check out the full schedule and result at https://2019u19wclax.wpcomstaging.com/results/.
