Haudenosaunee, Israel Make Historic Statements at World Championship

The United States breezed into the World Lacrosse Women’s Championship semifinals. No surprise there.

The other three quarterfinals Wednesday? Absolute shockers.

First, the Haudenosaunee Nationals stunned reigning bronze medalist England 10-9 on a goal by Duke standout Avery Doran with just five seconds remaining.

Comprised entirely of Native American players and descendants, the Haudenosaunee women made their international debut in 2009, medaled for the first time as a nation at the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s Box Championship and will now compete in the medal round in a field championship.

They’re not the only ones making history, however. Israel took down the only other team other than the U.S. ever to win a world field championship.

Clemson’s Hanna Hilcoff scored four goals, and Israel survived a frenetic final minute to defeat Australia 12-11.

That set the stage for host Japan complete the trifecta of stunners — and it almost happened.

The Japanese went toe-to-toe with three-time world championship runner-up Canada and had a chance to win it in overtime. But Suzuno Hosoda hit the pipe, and Aurora Cordingley buried the game winner going the other way as Canada prevailed 5-4.

And so, the semifinals are set. It’ll be Canada vs. the Haudenosaunee and USA vs. Israel. The favorites vs. the upstarts.

What a day for World Lacrosse.