Madison Alaimo Wins Gold at World U20 Championships

HONG KONG —

Virginia sophomore attacker Madison Alaimo won a gold medal with the US Junior National Team at the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship on Saturday (Aug. 24) in Hong Kong.

The United States completed one of the most dominant runs in international lacrosse history by beating Canada 23-6 in the gold medal game. It marked the sixth time in eight tries that the U.S. won the women’s junior-level gold medal. The U.S. outscored its opponents 211-20 while winning all seven games in the tournament.

The Americans went 4-0 in pool play to advance to the knockout rounds but were the No. 2 seed in the finals bracket, with Canada earning the top seed.

Alaimo set the event record for most assists with 25 in the tournament, breaking Caitlyn Wurzburger’s record of 19 set in 2019.

Alaimo, who was named Player of the Game during the pool play contest against China, ranked third among all players in points with 43, scoring 18 goals in addition to her 25 assists.

In her first season at Virginia, Alaimo set the UVA record for assists by a freshman in a single season with 27. She also tallied 17 goals and 24 ground balls.

Pool Play

United States 33, Germany 0
United States 28, Puerto Rico 4
United States 29, China 1
United States 34, Israel 2

Quarterfinals – United States 31, Puerto Rico 6
Semifinals – United States 33, Australia 1
Finals – United States 23, Canada 6

August 22 – Semifinals – United States 33, Australia 1

The United States used the same formula it’s used the entire tournament – dominance on the draw, relentless defensive pressure and pinpoint passing on offense – to beat longtime rival Australia 33-1 in the semifinal round of the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship.

The U.S. advances to the championship game for the eighth straight time in the event’s history and will look for its sixth overall championship in Saturday’s gold medal game at 6:30 pm local time (6:30 am Eastern). The U.S. will face either Canada or Japan who meet in today’s second semifinal game.

Alaimo had three goals with five assists.

August 21 – Quarterfinals – United States 31, Puerto Rico 6

The United States opened playoff action with a 31-6 victory over Puerto Rico in the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship quarterfinal round.

Thirteen different players scored goals for the U.S., including 10 with at least two goals. Alaimo had two goals and three assists.

The second-seeded U.S. will face longtime rival Australia in the semifinal round on Thursday at 4 pm local time (4 am Eastern). Australia, the No. 3 seed, defeated Wales, 11-5, in its quarterfinal matchup.

The U.S. has won the World Lacrosse junior level women’s championship five of the previous seven times it has been held and Australia was its opponent in four of those five championship game victories (1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011). Australia is also one of only two teams to ever beat the U.S in the junior world championship, beating the U.S. 5-4 in the inaugural championship game in 1995. Canada edged the U.S. in the 2015 championship game.

August 20 – USA 34, Israel 2

The United States completed pool play with a 34-2 victory over Israel to secure the No. 2 overall seed at the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship in Hong Kong, China. The U.S. won Pool A with a 4-0 record while allowing seven goals in the tournament, while Canada won Pool B with a 4-0 record while allowing just six goals to earn the No. 1 overall seed.

Alaimo had a team-high nine points (4g, 5a). Emma LoPinto (30 points),  Madison Taylor (27) and Alaimo (26) are the top three scorers in the tournament through pool play.

The U.S. will face 7-seed Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals on Wednesday (Aug 21) at 11:30 a.m. local time – with the time difference, the game will actually start on Tuesday (Aug. 20) night at 11:30 (Eastern time) back in the USA.

August 18 – USA 29, China 1

In a matchup of the two remaining unbeaten teams in Pool A at the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship, the United States continued its near-flawless run with a 29-1 victory over China at Shep Kip Mei Park in Hong Kong.

Alaimo was one of three U.S. players with seven points and earned Player of the Match honors. Alaimo finished with three goals and four assists, scoring all seven points in the first half, including three consecutive goals that bridged the first and second quarters.

The United States moved to 3-0 and, after an off-day on Monday, will wrap up pool play on Tuesday against Israel (1-2) at 1:30 p.m. local time (1:30 a.m. Eastern). With the victory over China, the U.S. clinched the top spot in Pool A

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August 17 – USA 28, Puerto Rico 4

The United States improved to 2-0 in pool play with a 28-4 win against Puerto Rico. The U.S. has two more pool play games before bracket play opens on Wednesday.

Alaimo scored two goals on four shots and also had an assist.

The U.S. started hot again with a nine-goal outburst in the first quarter, but Puerto Rico, playing against the U.S. for the first time in an international championship, played spirited and strung together three straight goals from Hannah Lewis, Maya Maldonado and Victoria Rankin late in the first half, but USA’s Noel Cumberland scored with just one second left in the first half to stop the momentum. The U.S. then blanked Puerto Rico 8-0 in the third quarter to pull away.

The U.S. plays China on Sunday at 5 p.m. local time in Hong Kong (5 a.m. Eastern) before an off day on Monday. They will wrap up pool play on Tuesday against Israel.

August 16 – USA 33, Germany 0

The United States opened its schedule in the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship with a 33-0 victory over Germany. Alaimo logged six assists and scored a goal in the opener.