Midfielder Kristen Kjellman scored four of her game-high five goals and dominated draw controls in the second half, as the U.S. women’s team pulled away from England for a 17-8 victory in its 2009 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Cup opener Thursday.
Tied 6-6 at halftime, Team USA broke the game open with a 9-0 run — including three straight from Kjellman — with its defense holding Team England scoreless until the 7:35 mark. Kjellman was the top goal scorer with five tallies while teammate Lindsday Munday was the points leader with three goals and three assists. Regina Oliver (4 GB, 4 CT) and Amber Falcone (4 GB, 1 CT) anchored the defense, which shut out the English attack for than 20 minutes at the start of the second half. Falcone also contributed two goals. Starting goalie Devon Wills had four saves; keeper Megan Huether contributed one stop in the final 9:34 minutes of the game.
Attacker Felicity Hermsen and midfielder Lucy Lynch each contributed two goals for Team England . Starting goalie Catherine Gaunt had 10 saves, seven of which came in the first half. Backup keeper Anita Thorose made three saves.
The U.S. squad plays Canada Friday at 8:30 a.m. EST. FIL World Cup games are broadcast live at http://videosport.tn.nova.cz/lacrosse-prague-2009.
Other scores: AUT – DEN 14-7; AUS – CAN 16-11; WAL – GER 18-3; CZE – SCO 8-6; IRL – KOR 22-0
The U.S. women’s national teams program is coordinated by US Lacrosse, the national governing body of the sport. deBeer Lacrosse is the official exclusive equipment and apparel supplier to the U.S. women’s national teams program. Learn more about the company by visiting its Web site at www.debeerlacrosse.com.
Colleen Sperry Aungst
Public Relations Manager
US Lacrosse
113 W. University Pkwy
Baltimore , MD 21210
(410) 235-6882 ext. 155
www.uslacrosse.org
Twitter: @US_Lacrosse
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