June 19, 2009

PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Stanford assistant coach Brooke McKenzie, playing for Canada at the Women's Lacrosse World Cup in the Czech Republic, fired in the game's opening goal against the United States on Friday.

McKenzie, playing in her second World Cup, ignited Canada to a strong start, resulting in a halftime lead. But the United States scored eight unanswered goals in the second half to win, 11-4.

Canada, one of five teams in Pool A, has a Stanford flavor, with Cardinal head coach Amy Bokker serving as an assistant coach on the team.

The game was the second in as many days for Canada, which plays four in a four-day stretch. Canada opened with a 16-11 loss to Australia on Thursday. Canada continues Saturday against England (2:30 a.m. PT) and Sunday against Japan (5:30 a.m. PT). All 16 teams advance to the quarterfinals, which begin Wednesday.

McKenzie, an all-conference attacker at James Madison University, has played for Canada since 2003. She grew up in Englewood, Colo., but was born in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. This is her second World Cup, having played for Canada's fourth-place team in 2005. In her first season at Stanford this spring, the Cardinal went 14-4 and captured its fifth consecutive Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship.

Here is the tournament's Web site: http://www.lacrosseworldcup2009.com

Also, matches can be viewed at www.videosport.cz.