England suffered their first defeat at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships after a battling performance against Haudenosaunee that saw them lose 15-6 on Sunday.
England more than matched their fiery opponents for large parts of the game but a clinical fourth quarter from Haudenosaunee saw them clinch the victory.
In a game that saw a massive 23 penalties, England were forced to up their aggression level from their opening match against Hong Kong, China after falling two goals down early in the first quarter.
Lucy Ford got England off the mark after six minutes but a determined Haudenosaunee pulled into a 6-1 lead after hitting four without reply.
England were much improved in the second quarter and were able to come to within two of their opponents when Alex Drewe, Ford, Leah Catton, and Iandra Lamplugh all scored to put their team in an excellent position to challenge in the second half.
Despite a fast start to the third from Haudenosaunee that saw them pull further ahead through Lindsay John, England continued to push with Drewe hitting her second of the game, making the score 6-8.
From this point, Haudenosaunee were able to control the game, upping the aggression level to make it difficult for England to put any sort of run together; 14 of the 23 penalties happened in the second half.
A seven-goal shut-out for Haudenosaunee saw them pick up their first win of the tournament and left England defeated.
England continue their pool stage against Netherlands later today with coverage beginning on WL TV and the England Lacrosse Instagram page from 11:15pm (UK).
England 6-15 Haudenosaunee (1-4, 4-3, 1-3, 0-5)
England scorers: Alex Drewe (2G, 1A), Laura Beaman (3A), Lucy Ford (2G), Iandra Lamplugh (1G, 1A), Leah Catton (1G), Ellie Racle (1A)