Israel Achieves Best-Ever Finish at World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship

Israel defeats Germany 2024 World Lacrosse Women's U20 Championship

Israel and 19 other nations converged on Hong Kong in August for the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship. The Blue-and-White competed in six contests in Hong Kong – four in the group stage as part of Pool A, and two in a consolation bracket – and compiled a 3-3 record. It was enough to lift Israel to 13th place, a new peak for the program in the event by one spot.

“Our 13th place finish out of 20 teams is the highest ever achieved by a junior women’s team, and our .500 win percentage is particularly notable given the strength of our opponents,” head coach Claire Rosenberg said.

Prior to this summer, Israel’s best finish at this tournament was 14th in 2015. The team also placed 17th in 2019, its only other appearance in a World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship. Rosenberg is encouraged to see the incremental movement forward this event proved.

“A key challenge for this team was the still-developing lacrosse infrastructure and women’s sports culture in Israel,” head coach Claire Rosenberg said. “We have recently made strides in advancing high-level women’s lacrosse here, but progress in gradual. I’m optimistic that the players’ experiences from this tournament will pave the way for continued positive growth, increased participation, and further development of high-level women’s lacrosse in Israel.”

Israel’s 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship Results

Neither of the team’s first two games went according to plan. On the opening day of the tournament, China got the best of Israel, 18-8 – attacker/midfielder Corey Kumin scored one and assisted four more in the defeat. The following day, Puerto Rico exploded in the third quarter to put Israel away, 15-10, despite midfielder Amelia Byerly lighting it up with five goals and an assist.

Israel at 2024 World Lacrosse Women's U20 Championships vs. China
Racheli Levy-Smith (7) makes an attempt at goal against China on Aug. 15 in Israel’s opening game of the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship in Hong Kong, China, at Sham Shui Po. Photo courtesy of World Lacrosse.

Fortunes turned in game three. Israel hit the ground running against Germany, amassing a 6-2 advantage by the close of the initial quarter. The Germans applied some resistance in the next quarter, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Israel. The Blue-and-White picked up its first victory of the tournament, 14-8, as attacker/midfielder Sarah Marcovici led all scorers with four and Kumin added three goals and five dimes of her own.

Israel faced the eventual gold medal winners in its fourth outing. The United States did to Israel what it did to every other team that tried to challenge it in Hong Kong, cruising to a 34-2 win. Midfielder Racheli Levy-Smith and Marcovici were responsible for Israel’s scores, respectively. The team’s 1-3 run in Pool A landed it in the 13th-16th place consolation bracket with Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, and New Zealand.

The host nation stood between Israel and avoiding 15th or 16th place. The Blue-and-White had a big 9-2 lead at the break, but a 4-0 third quarter for Hong Kong made things interesting heading into the final quarter. Israel put the game to rest, though, with two fourth quarter goals via Kumin and another score from Marcovici. Israel secured its opportunity to fight for 13th, 12-7.

Chinese Taipei provided the last test of the tournament. Israel netted the game’s first four goals, but Chinese Taipei roared back for four of their own to knot it up. The team’s left the field for halftime at 6-6 and everything in the balance.

A resounding third quarter from the Israelis made the ultimate difference. The Blue-and-White took command with six unanswered goals in the first 11 minutes of the second half. By the time Chinese Taipei stopped the bleeding, it was too little, too late – not even five goals in the fourth quarter could undo what was done. Israel waltzed to its best-ever finish in the World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship, 15-12. Levy-Smith dominated with a game-high seven goals, and Kumin and Marcovici each chipped in three scores as well in the win.

Levy-Smith concluded the tournament with a team-high 15 goals, with Kumin (13), Marcovici (13), and Byerly (10) not far behind. Sasha Lurie (5), Shirin Atedgi (2), Tayla Shnit (2), and Liel Hodara (1) rounded out the rest of Israel’s scorers. Kumin (26) and Marcovici (23) ended in the event’s top 20 for most points among all players. Goalie Tori Bates played in all six games and amassed 38 saves on a 34% save percentage.

How It Happened

The 2024 Women’s U20 Championship was a major opportunity for some of Israel’s brightest young talent to sharpen their skills on a world stage. Rosenberg praised many of her players for their performances in Hong Kong, particularly Levy-Smith, Kumin, and Byerly. They were instrumental to the team, she said, but it required a full effort from the Blue-and-White to do what they did.

“Offensively, we relied on a few key players to drive plays, set up scoring opportunities, and feed the ball,” Rosenberg outlined. “Other offensive players supported these core scorers by rotating in, moving the ball, and creating space.”

Israel had a difficult slate. Every team in Pool A went on to win gold or their consolation bracket – Israel’s group opponents finished in ninth, fifth, 19th, and first place. It made it hard on the defense, but that’s when growth occurs.

“Defensively, the team faced some of the toughest opponents most of our players had ever encountered,” Rosenberg said. “This provided valuable learning experiences in areas such as first and second slides, unit communication, and controlled contact. We prepared thoroughly by scouting opponents both in person and through film analysis.”

Israel at 2024 World Lacrosse Women's U20 Championship vs. Hong Kong
Yagel Geva (13) evades Hong Kong defenders during Israel’s showdown with the tournament’s host nation on Aug. 21. Photo courtesy of World Lacrosse.

This tournament presented 21 young athletes with a moment to improve on the world stage. The team’s coaching staff was awarded the same chance. Rosenberg said she’s grateful for the growth she and her assistants experienced in Hong Kong.

“The lessons learned from this event will help our staff and leadership better prepare for future competitions, guiding our national teams toward even greater success,” she explained.

This iteration of the Women’s U20 Championship brought Israel closer together, the team’s head coach said.

“This group of athletes developed strong bonds both on and off the field, enhancing the overall team experience significantly,” Rosenberg said. “The staff fostered a supportive, positive, and encouraging environment, allowing athletes to learn, ask questions, collaborate, and grow as players and young women.”

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