ODDS and EVENS | Lacrosse Standout Negai Nakazawa Shows Talent at the World Championship

During her successful collegiate lacrosse career in the United States, Negai Nakazawa scored 60 goals in 63 matches. Nearly a goal per game is, of course, a noteworthy achievement.

As a sophomore, she had a career-best 24 goals in 19 games for the University of Louisville in 2024.

A Japan national team midfielder, Nakazawa appears on the cover of the 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship program. The 22-year-old's large picture pinpoints the importance of her role on the national squad. (Midfielder Marie McCool of the United States and England defender Emma Oakley also grace the cover of the souvenir publication.)

Nakazawa had an excellent performance against Canada in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, July 29, demonstrating her talent as an offensive playmaker against a top opponent.

Leading the Offense Against Canada

With Japan seeking to reach the tournament semifinals for the first time (this is the 12th edition; it was first held in 1982), the Yokohama native was the team's best player on this night at Oi Hockey Stadium in Tokyo. She scored a hat trick in the hosts' heartbreaking 5-4 overtime loss to second-ranked Canada.

The midfielder who wears Japan's No 22 jersey ― double the number of her older sister/national team attacker Kokoro Nakazawa's uniform ― gave the hosts a 1-0 lead with 3:58 left in the opening quarter. Firing a shot while on the move, she put her team on the board with targeted precision.

The younger Nakazawa rifled a shot past Canada goalie Kameron Halsall to make it 2-0 with 3:27 to play in the second quarter. A pair of Canadian players were serving 2-minute penalties at the time, giving Japan a personnel advantage on the field, and coach Asuka Miyazawa's squad capitalized on the opportunity. Kokoro Nakazawa picked up the assist.

Led by patience and determination on offense, Japan's possession-control tactics paid off in the first half, holding Canada scoreless. On the previous day, Canada throttled Wales, winning 21-1 in pool play.

Negai Nakazawa Notches a Hat Trick

Canada entered this tournament with three consecutive runner-up finishes to the United States in the World Lacrosse Women's Championship in 2013, 2017 and '22.

So it surprised nobody that Canada found a way to stage a comeback in the second half.

Thirty seconds into the third quarter, Madalyn Baxter cut the lead to 2-1 on a shot from close range.

Aurora Cordingley leveled the score at 2-2 at the 11:14 mark.

At this point, Canada's fans in the stands were clearly making more noise than earlier in the game. But Japan's enthusiastic supporters maintained their boisterous cheers.

About 90 seconds later, Negai Nakazawa unleashed a low shot that flew past Halsall. And as she completed her world championship hat trick, Japan regained the lead, 3-2.

The home supporters, already excited by Nakazawa's first-half heroics, kept rooting passionately for Negai and her teammates. Thanks to their encouragement and energy, it was an electric atmosphere, one that both teams greatly appreciated.

And there was still a lot of time left in the match ― 24 minutes and 30 seconds.

Canada, playing with a sense of urgency, tied it at 3-3 on Erica Evans' free-position goal (similar to a penalty shot in soccer).

With 3:05 left in the third quarter, a Cordingley shot hit the post. And with 1 second left in the third quarter, she missed another shot. Highly involved on offense, she would put her stamp on the match later on.

More Momentum Shifts in Lacrosse Match

In the fourth quarter, attacker Kassidy Morris put Canada ahead 4-3 on a shot that zipped past Japan goalie Runa Fujita at the 10:28 mark.

With 3 minutes remaining, Kokoro Nakazawa, who entered the match with nine goals in Japan's three previous tournament contests, tied it at 4-4. Negai's 24-year-old sister produced her 10th goal on a shot that took a bounce as it got past Halsall.

Sudden-victory overtime was required to break the deadlock in this highly competitive match.

After Japan midfielder Chisa Kobayashi won a draw at the 3-minute mark, a Suzuno Hosoda shot ricocheted off the post about 20 seconds later.

Canada reset its offense after Bianca Chevarie scooped up a ground ball, leading to Avery Martin passing it to Cordingley.

Standing to the left of the goal, Cordingley caught the ball and whipped a shot past Fujita. Game over ― Canada 5, Japan 4.

Cordingley, who was named Player of the Match, was mobbed by teammates and a joyful celebration began for Canada.

Disappointment for Team Japan

Did the drama of Canada's victorious comeback overshadow Negai Nakazawa's impressive impact?

To this observer, the on-field action resembled a two-act play. Her stellar effort was the opening act, but Canada gained the edge and authored the final act.

That said, Negai Nakazawa's disappointment could not be concealed after the match.

"It's frustrating because the team really went out there to win," she was quoted as saying by Daily Sports.

In the aftermath of the loss, the midfielder, who transferred to the University of North Carolina for her final college season in 2026, felt she needed to do more.

"In the end, I couldn't lead the team to victory. I still have a long way to go," Negai commented, according to the sports newspaper.

Wednesday's loss meant that Japan couldn't match its fifth-place finish at the 2022 World Lacrosse Women's Championship, or earn a higher finish.

But memories of this experience can help fuel the national team's desire to elevate its standing in the global pecking order. Including in the run-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with Japan aiming to qualify for the women's sixes lacrosse tournament. (Six players per side instead of the customary 10 vs 10.)

National squad teammate Kobayashi emphasized the goal of Japan striving for success in the Olympics earlier in the week.

"I would love to show the young players in Japan how strong Japan is so that they can dream towards becoming an Olympian," Kobayashi said, according to World Lacrosse's official Instagram account.

Lacrosse Tournament Update

The semifinal round is on Friday, July 31.

At Prince Chichibu Rugby Stadium, Canada takes on Haudenosaunee at 4 PM, and Israel meets the United States in the second semifinal at 7 PM.

Team USA is pursuing its fifth straight world title.

The Americans routed Puerto Rico 23-4 in Wednesday's quarterfinals. In other matches from the same round, Israel edged Australia 12-11 and Haudenosaunee topped England 10-9.

On Saturday, Japan faces Puerto Rico in the seventh-place match at Oi Hockey Stadium (Field 1) at 3:30 PM.

If Japan had beaten England on Thursday in the placement 5-8 round, it could've advanced to Saturday's fifth-place match. (England defeated Japan 10-5.)

The full schedule is posted on the World Lacrosse website.