SURREY, ENGLAND — The Israel women’s national team wrapped up their 2017 FIL Women’s World Cup campaign with a 17-13 loss to Scotland on Friday.
While the blue-and-white earned a likely promotion to the top division with their Thursday win over 5th-ranked Wales, the 5th-place match against Scotland was certainly not meaningless as the two teams have developed an exciting rivalry.
Scotland previously defeated Israel in a promotion/relegation match at the 2013 World Cup and the Bronze Medal match at the 2015 European Championship. Israel’s lone win against the Scots came in pool play in 2013.
Scotland (2-6) jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Friday and never trailed, collecting 10 first-half goals en route to a validating win and their best world ranking since 1993.
Israel (6-2) can hold their heads high after a pair of thrilling wins over Japan and Wales push the blue-and-white into the top-six in the world.
Jessi Steinberg led Israel with five goals, while Ali Steinberg added three. Emma Lazaroff (two goals), Alison Curwin (one goal, one assist), Rachel Ozer (one goal, one assist) and Courtney Miller (one goal) also chipped in.
Sarah Andersen and Jayme Verman cracked the scoresheet with one assist each.
Blaire Nathanson (26:22, 3 saves, 8 GA) and Alex Freedman (33:38, 1 save, 9 GA) both saw action in goal; Nathanson was dealt the loss.
Jessi Steinberg finished fourth in the World amongst tournament scorers with 36 points (26 goals, 10 assists).
Aside from earning a potential promotion to the top group, Israel will play on their home field in Ashkelon when they host the 2019 ELF European Lacrosse Championships.
Schedule/Results
Thu, Jul 13 – Israel 17, Netherlands 3
Fri, Jul 14 – Israel 16, Czech Republic 8
Sun, Jul 16 – Israel 18, China 0
Mon, Jul 17 – Israel 18, Belgium 0
Tue, Jul 18 – Israel 8, Japan 7 (OT; first-round playoff)
Wed, Jul 19 – United States 20, Israel 3 (Quarterfinals)
Thu, Jul 20 – Israel 8, Wales 7 (OT; Promotion/relegation match)
Fri, Jul 21 – Scotland 17, Israel 13 (5th Place match)
Additional caps — Nikol Baglay, Jenna Baverman, Gabriela Cheban, Kim Dubansky, Leah Israel, Megan Lerner, Sarah Meisenberg