Jamaica hoping to rebound after opening loss at Lacrosse Championship

The Jamaica under-20 women’s lacrosse team will be hoping for a better result in their second game of the group stages at the World Lacrosse U20 Women’s Championship following an opening 13-2 defeat by hosts Hong Kong.

The opening match, which started off with both teams playing defensively, quickly became a one-sided affair for the hosts as Hong Kong found their scoring rhythm and opened an impressive lead against the Jamaicans.

Eloise Bolitho led the way for Hong Kong with four goals and one assist, with Sophie Beane contributing three goals and an assist as well.

Makayla Mitchell was the only name on the Jamaican scoresheet as the attacker led the offensive line, scoring both consolation goals in the end.

Anbie Chan, a midfielder for Hong Kong, said the match was an emotional victory for her team, as it was their first time competing in an international tournament hosted in Asia.

“We were definitely a bit nervous,” she said. “But, the moment the first goal went in, and then the next two, the momentum started rolling. Everybody was superhyped on the sidelines jumping and screaming.

“That kept everyone’s energy very high. The crowd was amazing, it shows we’re growing the sport. It brings the team together and tonight really helped with that.”

Hong Kong controlled much of the game throughout and outshot Jamaica 28-10 at the final whistle.

Despite the lopsided result, Jamaica’s goalkeeper Gabriella Henry was named one of the top performers of the opening day.

Henry made 14 saves from 25 shots faced throughout the game, contributing with several point blank heroics for the young Hummingbirds.

The result sees the team rooted at the foot of Pool D with zero points. Jamaica will turn their attention to England, who open their campaign in today’s fixture.

It will be an uphill task for the Hummingbirds, as England enter the match as heavy favourites and the fourth-ranked team in the world.

The match is set for an early 4 a.m. start, Jamaica time, at the Sham Shui Po Sports Ground.