Gowanda High School graduate Miya Scanlan (2) celebrates after scoring one of her five goals for the Haudenosaunee Nationals women’s lacrosse team against Scotland in the prequarterfinals of the Gold Bracket at the 2022 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship in Towson, Maryland. Photo courtesy of World Lacrosse 2022

TOWSON, Md. — The Haudenosaunee Nationals women’s lacrosse team wrapped up Pool E action at the 2022 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship with two huge wins over Switzerland and Argentina.

On Wednesday the championship bracket got underway and the 12-seed Haudenosaunee Nationals faced its biggest test of the tournament, 5-seed Scotland.

Haudenosaunee was ready for the task as it held off Scotland 11-9 on the back of another five goal performance from Gowanda High School graduate Miya Scanlan.

At halftime the score was tied at 5-5, setting up for an exciting second half. Jayln Jimerson had three of her six points in the first half, then collected three more as Scanlan scored four of her five in the second half.

Thanks to three third quarter goals from Scanlan the Haudenosaunee took a 10-7 lead into the final frame. Then in the fourth quarter, Scanlan scored her fifth goal for an 11-7 lead that Haudenosaunee could buckle down on for the eventual 11-9 victory.

Scanlan’s final tally was another for the highlight reel, in the middle of the slot with her back to the goalie she caught a pass from Lois Garlow and while turning around she took a no look shovel shot that snuck between the Scottish goalie’s legs. Even with 11:54 remaining on the clock, Scanlan’s goal was the backbreaker as the defense and Haudenosaunee goalie Paige Crandall locked it down the rest of the way.

Jimerson stood out in the contest with two goals, four assists and two ground balls; Scanlan had the five goals on six shots, two ground balls and three draw controls; Garlow managed two goals, two assists, collected three ground balls and had three draw controls; Ivy Santana scored a goal, picked up two assists and had one draw control and Allyson Trice had three draw controls, two ground balls and caused two turnovers.

Today, Haudenosaunee will be put to the task again, taking on 4-seed Australia. The Australians are one of two countries to ever win the Women’s World Championships and will prove a difficult foe after defeating 13-seed Ireland 18-4 on Tuesday.