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2013 Women's Lacrosse World Cup Website

DETROIT (8/9/13) -- Former University of Detroit Mercy women's lacrosse player Emily Boissonneault, a native of Brooklin, Ontario, played for Team Canada's women's lacrosse team that earned a silver medal at the 2013 Women's Lacrosse World Cup from July 10-20 in Oshawa, Ontario.
 
Boissonneault played in six of the team's seven games scoring five goals, adding an assist, forcing two caused turnovers with three draw controls and two grounds balls. Canada finished pool play with a 3-1 record with the only loss to the strong USA team. Canada and USA would end up meeting again in the gold medal match with the United States taking the gold. Still, Boissonneault was part of Canada's second place squad in 2013 representing the highest finish for the country in the history of the tournament.
 
The event consisted of 19 teams from all over the world and was hosted by the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). The last World Cup before this year was in 2009 and held in Prague, Czech Republic. Since the inception of the tournament in 1982, Canada has been represented at every FIL World event. The World Cup is held every four years, and since 1995, the World U19 Championship is also held in alternating four-year cycles. Canada finished third in that 2009 tournament and it was the highest finish for the country since the inaugural World Cup was held in Nottingham, England in 1982 when Canada was also third.
 
"I can't help but smile every time someone says history," said Boissonneault. "Canada has such a large history with the sport and to be part of the team that helped pave the way for Canada's success has been amazing. I am honored, humbled, and motivated to have the silver medal around my neck."
 
The competition was a homecoming of sorts for Boissonneault who grew up playing on the Oshawa Civic Recreation Complex Fields where all the games were played. After starting to play lacrosse her freshman year of high school, she first participated in other sports at the field before gravitating towards lacrosse.
 
"The Civic Fields were THE fields in the area. I first remember going there for elementary school track meets but as lacrosse became my world the Civic Fields started to represent something more," said Boissonneault. "Since I played for Oshawa, we played on them for home games only and practiced on some high school grass fields. I think it made the Civic fields that much more exciting."
 
It was also a great opportunity for Canada to play the international tournament on home soil which will be a positive influence for the game moving forward.
 
"Having my friends and family at every game, we were able to help inspire dreams and futures for the younger ones in the area. Canada has a phenomenal growth of women's field [lacrosse] teams and I would like to consider Oshawa a large contributor of that growth. As an Oshawa player, it was amazing to see the number of girls that witnessed the taking of silver," said Boissonneault.
 
Due to the games taking place in North America, Boissonneault was able to have friends and family see her play. Those who were able to make the games included former UDM teammates Corina Mahorn and Lexie McCormick as well as UDM women's lacrosse head coach Laura Maness. Wesley Steen, Rachel Weatherhead and her trainer Jen Dunbar from Detroit also made the trip to watch her play.
 
"The World Cup was the best and the most emotional experience I have had. From tryouts to game time this team taught me so much on and off the field. I just wish I had a few more years in college with so much new knowledge I have yet to apply. Through all of it though, I still had to remind myself that I played on The Canadian Women's Lacrosse team, it has honestly been a dream come true and the funny thing is, I feel like my journey is just beginning," said Boissonneault.
 
The competition was memorable for Boissonneault with the highlight coming in a 12-11 win over Australia in the first game of the tournament.
 
"It was the first time in history that Canada has ever beat Australia. The energy of our team and the crowd was undeniably the best I have ever played with. Every play made in that game was explosive. I will never forget the excitement and adrenaline I witnessed that day," said Boissonneault.
 
The entire process from the tryouts to the opening ceremonies of the competition to the gold medal game is an opportunity that Boissonneault will not soon forget.

"My most memorable experience was getting to know the team. We spent a total of 22 days together and although camp was tough, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Our team was unbelievably talented and full of so many different people. With the ages being so different we were able to learn and apply new techniques, styles, and leadership that many of us might not have before," said Boissonneault.
 
Now that Boissonneault has some time before the next World Cup in 2017, scheduled to be in Guildford, England, she has some time to focus on life outside of lacrosse without forgetting about 2017.
 
"I will continue to train and hopefully you will see me again in four years but for now, I will be attending Winthrop University in the fall to major in sports and fitness administration where I will work as a graduate assistant for the women's lacrosse team."