ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- When rivalries are mentioned, most people think of the Yankees and the Red Sox, the Cowboys and the Redskins or Notre Dame and USC. Very few people would ever think of the United States versus Australia as being able to stand in the same category as those classic matchups. But in the women's international lacrosse world, it is the most heated rivalry -- a rivalry that has been stoked in the flames of four of the six championship matches in the history of International Federation of Women's Lacrosse (IFWLA) World Cup.
"There's a huge rivalry there, but there is also a huge amount of respect," Australia head coach Max Madonia said. "It's about playing sport at its best level."
The two national teams added another chapter to their rivalry this past Sunday when they played to a 7-7 tie in the pool play portion of this year's World Cup. The game was highlighted by three lead changes, five ties and a furious comeback by the Australians in the final two minutes to tie the game. The University was well represented in the game as alumnae Cherie Greer and Lauren Aumiller each scored two points for Team USA and Cavalier field hockey coach Jess Wilk had nine saves and three caused turnovers while playing goalie for the Americans.
Greer got the scoring started early, scoring the first goal 11 seconds after the opening face-off. Greer then quickly struck again, scoring her second goal 2:52 into the game. The tallies were Greer's first of the tournament and gave the Americans an early lead.
"All players struggle now and again with confidence," U.S. coach Sue Stahl said. "[Greer] was going through her battles, but she has come out of it and we are delighted."
Aumiller made her mark on the game in the second half. Her goal gave the United States a 5-4 lead less than seven minutes into the final stanza. Aumiller's second point of the match came on an assist from behind the net that gave the Americans a 7-5 advantage with just under six and a half minutes remaining. Aumiller was holding the ball behind the net when she passed to Danielle Gallagher on the left side. Gallagher quickly passed back to Aumiller who found Crista Samaras in front of the net for the apparent game-winning goal.
The Australians, however, fought back in the final two minutes. A goal by Sascha Newmarch with 1:41 left made it a one goal game. The Aussies won the ensuing draw and eventually got the ball over to Maryland alum and all-time NCAA leading scorer Jen Adams. Adams held the ball and fired a pass to Sonia Judd who beat Wilk with 17 seconds left in the game. Adams who was named player of the match with one goal and three assists felt that the comeback was indicative of the Australians' attitude.
"When we step onto a field it's all about Australia and we don't think about the other team or who we are playing," Adams said. "It was no different today. We had the same intensity we had the past few days, and I think for the rest of the competition. It wasn't about the U.S., it was about Australia today and our ability to bounce back."
Following the goal, Greer took a long shot that was easily saved by the Australian keeper to preserve the tie. A tie between the two tournament favorites in the pool play portion of the tournament whets the appetite for a rematch at a later point. The rematch is possible since Australia and the United States enter the crossover, single elimination portion of the tournament as the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds -- setting up a potential rematch in the championship game.
It seems like the biggest rivalry in international women's lacrosse is only going to get more intense.
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