Albrecht Helps US to Gold; Miller Coaches Canada to Bronze

PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Harvard head coach Lisa Miller and assistant coach Sarah Albrecht won medals at the 2009 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Women’s World Cup in Prague over the weekend.

Albrecht, who won gold for the United States, was named to the FIL All-World Team. She was one of 12 players bestowed with the honor. It was the first world cup title for the Americans since 2001. The United States won a silver medal at the 2005 world cup in Annapolis, Md.

The Americans defeated the defending world cup champions Australia, 8-7, in the final on June 27. The US broke open a 3-3 halftime score with a 5-0 run to start the second half. Albrecht scored 14 goals and handed out three assists in seven games for her team. She scored the game-winner in the USA’s first victory over Australia June 22 and scored four goals in a win over England June 25.

The Americans outscored their opponents, 114-48. Only Australia and Canada were able to keep the scoring margin in single digits. The US beat Australia by one goal, twice and handed Canada an 11-4 loss in the second game of the tournament. The Americans also defeated England and Ireland twice.

The Canada team rebounded from a 0-2 start to claim the bronze for the second time in history and the first time in 27 years. Miller’s team scored early and often against England to pull away, 9-4, after the first half. The first stanza scoring proved to be the difference in the bronze medal match as both teams scored five goals in the second session.

Canada defeated Japan, Wales and England en route to the medal stand.

The FIL World Cup takes place every four years. The United States has won six world cup titles in 1982, 1989, 1993, 1997, 2001 and 2009.