Women's Lacrosse Update From Japan
June 3, 2013 | Women's Lacrosse
June 3, 2013
Photos from Welcome Party | BU vs. U21 Japan National Squad (box score)
Photos from International Friendship Games
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The Boston University women’s lacrosse team is in Japan until June 7 for the International Friendship Games and contests against several Japanese teams. While overseas, the Terriers have not only been able to face international competition, but they have been exposed to a different culture and have helped grow the game of lacrosse globally.
The day after the Terriers arrived in Japan, the City of Edogawa hosted a welcome party for the team where they got to try traditional Japanese cuisine and met the Mayor of Edogawa as well as the staff from the Japan Lacrosse Association that is sponsoring the International Friendship Games. BU was joined by the UMBC men’s lacrosse team that is also in Japan for the International Friendship Games. While BU was at the reception, members of the team met all of the families that were set to host the Terriers during their homestays.
The Terriers then spent three nights with players from the different university teams (Keio, Waseda, Meiji) that BU is playing in Japan and were able to truly embrace the difference in culture. Sofia Robins had a unique homestay experience, as she stayed with Yukako Idehara who Robins played against in the 2011 U-19 World Cup when she was on the Canadian National Team and Idehara was on the Japanese National Team. Danielle Etrasco, a member of the U.S. National Team stayed with Maki Hirono, a member of the Japanese National Team that just missed the cut for the World Cup but the two were still able to bond and share stories from playing for their countries respective national teams.
On Saturday, BU played the Japanese U21 National Team in an exhibition game. Although BU got off to a slow start and faced a 6-2 deficit, the team pulled together to overcome jet lag and playing on the other side of the world and came out with an 11-6 victory.
After the game, the Terriers ran a two-hour clinic to over 180 Japanese college freshmen that are new to the game of lacrosse. It was a great test of the Terriers’ teaching skills, as the participants spoke little to no English. BU instructed the new players on stickwork, 1v1 and playing skills and put forth a great effort to help grow the game of lacrosse globally.
Next up for the Terriers was the International Friendship games in which BU faced the Japanese National Team that is preparing for this summer’s World Cup. Over 3,000 fans came out to watch the game and it was evident that there were many fans there who love lacrosse. After the opening ceremonies, speeches and gift giving, the games took place with the fans cheering for every goal no matter which side scored. The Terriers got a taste of home during warm-ups when all of the music was songs from One Direction and after BU goal, the Japanese played “Starships” by Nicki Minaj, as they thought it a song that the Terriers would like.
The game was a back-and-forth battle with a last-second scoring attempt to tie the affair at 11-11. The Terriers were led by the play of Kristen Mogavero, who was named MVP of the game, while Jill Horka also had a standout performance.
After the game, the team grabbed lunch and stayed to watch the UMBC men’s team take on the men’s Japanese National Team which made the Terriers really look forward to the start of the BU men’s lacrosse team next season.
The Terriers concluded their homestays over the weekend and are now moving back to the hotel before doing some sightseeing. Stay tuned for more updates!
