Australia edge Japan in overtime in bronze medal game
Earlier, Australia defeated Japan 13-12 with a golden goal in overtime to cap off a thrilling battle for third place.
The Australians, hunting their second bronze medal in lacrosse sixes at The World Games and their third overall, secured the goods after a decisive goal from their top goal scorer, Georgia Latch, 27 seconds into overtime.
“Honestly, it feels amazing [and] a little bit emotional,” Latch told Olympics.com after. “We came onto this field just wanting to prove ourselves and make our country proud, and I think we did just that. I can’t thank my teammates more, honestly.
“Hannah Nielsen setting me up in that last shot. I wouldn’t have been there without her. I think I just put it all on my teammates, it’s all them.”
Despite a 3-2 lead in the first quarter, Australia found itself mostly in chase mode throughout regular time.
Japan, hunting its first major lacrosse medal in Chengdu, capitalised on Australia’s turnovers with sister act Nazakawa Kokoro (four goals) and Nazakawa Negai (three assists) flashing their attacking prowess.
Out in front at half-time, there the Japanese remained, building out their lead to as much as 12-9 with 4:30 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
But momentum switched back in the way of the Australians after back-to-back goals from Mim Suares-Jury and Stephanie Kelly, and a critical red card call on Tanaka Nozomi to allow Latch to strike and level the game 12-12.
Both sides then flurried looking for a decisive winning goal, and a last-ditch effort from Hannah Nielsen with three seconds to go looked set for the back of the cage. However, a super save from Fujita Runa forced the game into overtime.
The Australians, in the ascendancy and with the benefit of a 30-second penalty call on Nazakawa Negai in the dying moment of regular time, needed only 27 seconds to find their target and claim the win.