Israel’s women’s lacrosse team made history on Sunday by capturing the bronze medal at the Women’s Field Lacrosse World Championship in Tokyo, defeating the Haudenosaunee 7-4 in the third-place game to secure the nation’s first-ever medal at the tournament.
Israel controlled the contest from the opening whistle, racing to a 3-0 lead after the first quarter before extending its advantage to 6-1 by halftime. Although the Haudenosaunee mounted a comeback in the second half, the Israelis held firm to complete a dream tournament with a place on the podium.
The Haudenosaunee, also known as the Iroquois or Six Nations, are an alliance of Indigenous nations in northeast North America comprising the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora.
Jordyn Lipkin was named Player of the Match after capping a sensational tournament in which she finished as the competition’s leading goal scorer with 19 goals while also topping the overall points standings with 25 points, adding six assists.
“It’s one of the best feelings in the world,” Lipkin said after the victory. “It’s an incredible honor to represent something that is much bigger than ourselves. We know we’ve made history, and to show the world who Team Israel is and what we’re capable of on the field is a tremendous privilege.”
“I couldn’t have imagined this achievement without every one of my teammates. Working with the younger players in Israel, together with my Jewish identity and heritage, makes this even more meaningful. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this team.”
The achievement is especially significant with lacrosse set to return to the Olympic program at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where the sport will be contested in the fast-paced Sixes format.
Israel’s tournament run signals Olympic potential
Israel enjoyed a remarkable run throughout the tournament. The blue-and-white squad finished the group stage with a perfect record before upsetting world No. 4 Australia 12-11 in a dramatic quarterfinal. Its only defeat came in the semifinals, where top-ranked and eventual favorite United States claimed a 19-7 victory.
Even in that loss, Israel continued to make history. Along with Ireland, it was one of only two teams in the tournament to score in all four quarters against the Americans, while the second quarter ended in a 2-2 draw – the first time since 2009 that the United States had failed to win a quarter at a Women’s World Championship.
The bronze medal adds to Israel’s recent European title in women’s box lacrosse, marking a landmark year for the sport in the country.
“The players brought us to a medal game, made history, and then refused to stop there,” said Israel Lacrosse Association CEO Ian Kadish. “They gave everything they had, played with tremendous pride, and delivered Israel’s first-ever medal at a Women’s World Championship. This is a monumental moment for the team and for Israeli lacrosse.”
Arik Kaplan, president of Ayelet, the umbrella organization for Israel’s non-Olympic sports federations, praised the team’s achievement.
“Israel proved today that it belongs among the world’s elite,” Kaplan said. “The players displayed outstanding ability, determination and belief throughout the tournament, completing an unforgettable journey with a blue-and-white medal. With lacrosse returning to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, this achievement provides tremendous momentum for the sport in Israel and opens an exciting new chapter for its future.”