North's Pregame Words Ignite U.S. Team in World Championship Opener

TOKYO — It took Charlotte North all of 30 seconds to set the tone in the United States’ first game of the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship. Not with her stick, but with her words.

North, who ruptured her Achilles tendon on June 6, traveled to Japan despite being unable to play. Head coach Acacia Walker-Weinstein insisted that North’s presence was crucial, whether that was on the field or on the sideline. That insistence bore fruit before the first game even started.

Gathered in a circle with their arms draped over each other’s shoulders, the U.S. players huddled before the opening draw against Ireland. The PA system boomed and the clamoring buzz of peak cicada season filled the hot air, but North’s words cut through the chorus with unmistakable clarity.

She expressed her gratitude to still be with the team despite arguably the most devastating injury a high-level athlete can suffer. Then she delivered the message that lingered long after the huddle broke.

“It’s not lost on me that I get to share a bus with you guys. I get to share a team room with you guys. I get to watch you dog it out here,” North said. “When you’re dying, when you guys get goosebumps today, when you guys feel like you’re gonna see the light and see God just look over at me and I will give you whatever you need.”

Anna Brandt, who had a front row seat to the speech as she was linked to North on her right, was celebrating her 24th birthday and went on to deposit a hat trick in her world championship debut, an 18-5 U.S. win over Ireland at Oi Hockey Stadium.

She was thrust onto the shoulders of her teammates after the game as they sang “Happy Birthday” but wanted no part of taking credit. Instead, she was ready to dish it to North.

“[After that speech], I could do anything,” Brandt said. “She’s incredible. It’s so important to have her here, even though she’s not playing, because she does stuff like that.”

That was the loud contribution from North. What stood out even more were the quiet ones. She was first on the field during timeouts or water breaks, even on her knee scooter, delivering water bottles to teammates in need of relief from the intensity of the 109-degree heat index conditions near the end of the game. (That didn’t even account for the temperature on the turf.)

She sat on her knee scooter as the game went on, encouraging players who made great plays and aiding ones who needed a lift. Int front of her sat a backpack cooler filled with ice, and she was solely responsible for placing Ziploc bags around the draw heads and submerging them in ice between draw attempts.

In extreme heat, heads can soften, which has a dramatic impact on how a draw taker is able to fight for the ball. By keeping them cold, they stay consistent.

That’s not normally a job North would do. She’d typically be on the receiving end of a pass after one of those draw wins. But she did the job with speed and with pride. This was her role. And it did not go unnoticed.

“Being the ultimate teammate, that’s just a testament to who she is,” Brandt said. “Doing that [with the draw sticks], that helps. Everything she’s doing is contributing to a win.”

North inspired the rest of the contributors up and down the roster. Chloe Humphrey, Izzy Scane, Madison Taylor and Cassidy Weeks each scored twice. Twelve players scored in total. Sam Apuzzo and Kenzie Kent tied for the team lead with two assists. Shea Dolce made four saves in the second half and Cassidy Weeks made two in the first half, as the goalie duo combined to save six of 11 shot attempts.

Kori Edmondson, a midfielder with significant defensive responsibilities, was named the player of the match. Sydney Scales had two ground balls and two caused turnovers, and Shea Baker had two ground balls and one caused turnover.

“A big goal of ours is goals against. We’re holding ourselves to a high standard, regardless of the opponent,” Scales said. “I think we met that today. I think there’s room for improvement — there always is.”

Like Brandt, Scales attributed much of the motivation — of which there’s already plenty given the stakes of attempting to win a fifth straight world title and 10th overall — to North.

“We’re all playing for her out there,” Scales said. “She would do anything for her teammates, so we’re doing anything we can for her.”

North’s parting words from that team huddle were equally as inspirational as her first. It was evident this was something she’d thought long about.

Even while suffering this heartbreak, North’s demeanor has remained intact. She’s jovial. A gravitational force. She’s the team DJ and self-appointed leader of the hype squad. There’s always an ear-to-ear smile on her face.

But as she crafted her final rallying cry, it appeared she, too, was feeling the weight of the moment. Her friends gripped her shoulders just a bit tighter as she reached the end.

“I believe in you guys,” North said. “Go out there like you’ve waited your whole life to live out this dream. All of you. No matter how many times you’ve done this. Alright? Go out there and celebrate everything and have fun. You’re gonna make mistakes, but nobody cares. We’re USA.”