She attributed the class difference in part to the competition’s switch from U19 to U20, which brought in players from the U.S. college system. Among them is forward Emma LoPinto, who Hiller viewed as a potential player for the U.S. Lacrosse Sixes team at the 2028 Games. She was named player of the game with four goals and five assists.

“Emma is going into her senior year of college, she has a national championship under her belt,” she said. “(We have) so many players with experience at a high level and under high pressure.”

LoPinto said her team couldn’t wait to get started. And that’s exactly what they looked like.

“We’ve been waiting for this moment for about a year, since training camp, and it was special to finally get here,” she said.

Australia defeated New Zealand 18-6 in their opening match at the Sham Shui Po Sports Ground.

They made an explosive start but limited the Kiwis to two goals in the second half.

New Zealand recovered from a 4-0 deficit and scored three quick goals to get back into the game early in the second quarter. The momentum then turned in Australia’s favour, as they finished the first half on an 8-1 run.

The game’s MVP, Ocea Leavy, weaved her way up the field, finding opportunities from every angle. She used her quick footwork to outrun defenders and score six goals – five of them solo.

“Ocea was impressive,” said Australia head coach Meghan Mollison. “She led from the front, she was tenacious and competitive and everything that Australian lacrosse stands for. She showed her teammates the way and they followed her example.”

Mollison praised the way her team worked together. “We found each other in attack,” she said. “It just shows how well we stick together and how we’ve come together.”

Miriam Suares-Jury and Meg Brown each scored two goals, while Holly Dini contributed three.

“It shows that every single person on our team is a threat and everyone is a force to be reckoned with,” Leavy said.

She added: “We were all so excited to play really important games where everything counts and to show the world what Australian lacrosse is. We are tough, we are strong, we have a never-give-up attitude and we showed that.”

In the next game, Canada – one of only two non-American teams, along with Australia, to win the title – beat Wales 19-0.

In Shek Kip Mei, Mexico beat Scotland 17-11 in a hard-fought match. Scotland took a 7-1 lead, with Carys Bucknall the standout player with three goals.

Mexico responded with a 7-1 run to tie the game. Elena Torres started the comeback with three consecutive goals. Three late goals from Kendall Conrad sealed the victory.

Puerto Rico then defeated Israel 15-10.

Asia’s best team, Japan, ranked No. 5 in the world, were stunned as Ireland, ranked 14 places below them, claimed a nerve-wracking 12-11 victory at Kowloon Tsai Park after South Korea had earlier suffered a 19-8 defeat to Haudenosaunee.

Jamaica, which had previously lost to Hong Kong, lost 30-3 to England in Sham Shui Po, who await the hosts on Saturday.