The World Lacrosse Women’s Championship that concluded Aug. 2 was the opportunity of a lifetime for Kori Edmondson, Kady Glynn and Jordyn Lipkin. The most obvious benefit for the trio who played for Maryland and Loyola Maryland was that it marked their first time in Tokyo, the host city.
“I loved experiencing a completely different culture,” Lipkin, a former Terps attacker, wrote via email. “Everything in Japan is extremely clean, and everyone was so nice, which was awesome.”
Glynn, a former Greyhounds goalkeeper, also loved how highly Japanese culture values life.
“The biggest adjustment for me was how people treat public spaces,” she emailed. “It is generally considered rude to eat or drink while walking. You are supposed to stop somewhere and enjoy your food.”
Even Japan’s weather was surprising.
“The first day we got there, we had a pretty hard practice, and we were all like, ‘Wow, it’s hot, it’s humid,’” said Edmondson, a former Maryland midfielder who hails from Severn and graduated from McDonogh. “When we came back here, I was actually really grateful for the humidity here on the East Coast.”
The games provided differing levels of gratification, too. Edmondson and the United States team clobbered Canada, 16-4, to capture its fifth consecutive crown and extend a 36-game winning streak at the international stage.
Lipkin and Israel outlasted the Haudenosaunee, 7-4, in the bronze-medal match to claim that nation’s first medal at the women’s championship. Meanwhile, Glynn and Germany finished a disappointing 16th.
Here is how each player viewed her experience.
‘The real deal’
Edmondson was a member of the United States’ U20 team that walloped Canada to collect gold at the championship in August 2024. The country’s latest feat was on another level.
“This is the real deal,” she said. “U-20s is definitely a really cool experience, and winning gold is something I’ll always remember, but being able to say you played for the national team, not many women get to say that.”
Edmondson, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s in criminology, recently wrapped up her career with the Terps by tying for 12th in program history in goals (187) and ranking 26th in points (220). But she was asked to be more of a defensive midfielder this summer, as she was two years ago.
“When I knew that was going to kind of be what I was going to do, I knew I was going to give everything I had,” she said. “That’s who I am as a person and as a player. It’s, ‘Whatever you ask me, I am going to do it.’”
‘Pride, gratitude, and joy’
Glynn, a two-time Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year, finished the tournament tied for sixth among goalies in total saves with 30. But playing for Germany was a way to pay tribute to her grandmother.
“Through her, I feel deeply connected to Germany,” the current Virginia assistant coach wrote. “I am learning the German language, and through it, discovering more about my heritage. Representing Germany at the World Championships fills me with pride, gratitude, and joy.”
Despite being dissatisfied with the team’s standing in the world rankings, Glynn said she hopes the team’s performances can stir up fervor for the sport and attract more players in the future.
“Lacrosse in Germany is still small and growing, and there are limited coaches,” she said. “So everyone is always so eager to learn and become better players. That is always my goal.”
‘Just the beginning’
Lipkin led all players in goals (19) and points (25), was tied for sixth in assists (six) and was named to the 10-member World Team. But she was happier about helping Israel finish third.
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“I’m really grateful that I was able to contribute, but this was truly a team accomplishment,” wrote Lipkin, who capped her college career this past spring by posting career highs in goals (25), assists (39) and points (54). “Everyone embraced their role, and that’s what made us successful.”
A bronze medal might have seemed distant at the start of the games, but when the final whistle blew to end Israel’s victory over the Haudenosaunee, Lipkin and her teammates envisioned an even more lucrative future for the country.
“Whether that is inspiring Israeli natives or Jewish Americans in the U.S., I am hopeful our success will motivate more Jewish lacrosse players to chase their goals,” she wrote. “This medal is just the beginning for Israel lacrosse, and I’m excited to continue helping the program grow.”
Have a news tip? Contact Edward Lee at eklee@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/EdwardLeeSun.