Attacker Annie Mather scored her 11th and 12th goals of what has so far for her been a prolific 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship when England came out on top against Ireland in their final Pool D game to secure a coveted quarter-final spot.
Having to beat a very good Ireland side by at least three goals wasn't something England had planned on doing when they set out to Hong Kong, China nine days ago but it’s something Mather believes the players took in their stride.
“It wasn't ideal the way it happened but you're never going to go through a World Championship with the smoothest ride.
“We've taken these challenges as a massive privilege and I think we're in a position where us as players have the ability to put things right and, obviously off the back of our Japan game which didn't go the way we hoped, we were in a position to actually fix our mistakes and put wrongs to right, which was a privilege to us. And we took that pressure and handled it and smashed it.”
England’s must win final pool stage match came about because of a 7-12 defeat to blossoming lacrosse nation Japan in their third Pool D match after two previous wins against Jamaica and Hong Kong, China.
“I think Japan brought an outstanding game. I think it was massive credit to them with the way that they hustled. They controlled the game and they really took it to us and it's on us that we didn't bring what we needed to come out on top in that game.
“I think there are a few other things that maybe didn't go our way, but ultimately none of us have dwelled on it. We had a full day post the Japan game to collect our heads and collect our thoughts […] and it's up to us now to change it tomorrow.”
England’s prize for victory against Ireland is a quarter-final match-up with Japan once again and Mather believes her team has done enough preparation to get over the line this time.
“We've definitely done our analysis. We've looked at our draws and tweaked the beginning of our play because we want to make sure that we're getting possessions and we're valuing our possession.
“I think we're going to come out fighting really hard. Every individual player knows what they can take from the previous loss and I think as long as we stick together, carry on playing for each other, it should all work out. But it's going to be a really tough game and we're going do our talking on the pitch and hopefully come out on top and get the job done.”
Mather is fast becoming one of the England U20 women’s team’s most exciting attackers and her two goals against Ireland takes her to 21 major tournament goals, having also scored nine at the 2023 ELF U21 Women’s Championship last year.
“The big thing is that I’m contributing to the team and I think our biggest focus has always been to play for each other and make each other look good.
“I think a lot of my goals are a massive testament to my teammates as well but it's an honour to be someone who can contribute to making great things happen on the pitch. But it's always going to be all about the team.
“It's a really nice bonus to be that person that's on the stats sheet but there are also so many other people that don't actually get on the stats sheet that contribute so much which is really important to acknowledge.”
Mather and her England U20 women’s side take on Japan at 6:30am (BST) on Wednesday 21 August and England fans can watch on World Lacrosse TV HERE.
Watch the full interview with Annie Mather below.