Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Stockton Photo, Inc.
Michelle Zhai, Shannon Nee Participating in Asia-Pacific Women’s Lacrosse Championship
1/9/2025 1:00:00 PM | Lacrosse
Zhai is on the roster for Team China, while Nee is a coach for Team Philippines
NEW YORK – Columbia sophomore attack Michelle Zhai and Assistant Coach Shannon Nee are taking part in the 2025 Asia-Pacific Women's Lacrosse Championship World Qualifiers this week in Sunshine Coast, Australia.
Nee is a coach for the Philippines, while Zhai is an attack on China's roster.
Earlier this year, World Lacrosse's decades-long vision to return the sport to the Olympic stage has been realized, with the International Olympic Committee approving lacrosse's inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
As teams look to qualify for the 2028 Olympics, one way to do so is via the 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship. This week, Sunshine Coast Stadium in Australia is hosting eight nations vying for the Asia-Pacific Championship and a bid into that World Lacrosse Championship next year.
Spots in the 16-team field for the 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship will be awarded to the top three finishers other than Japan (Japan has qualified automatically, as the host of the event in 2026).
Pool play at the Asia-Pacific Women's Lacrosse Championship took place from Monday through Wednesday earlier this week. Pool A featured No. 4 Australia, No. 19 China, No. 16 Hong Kong and the Philippines, while Pool B featured No. 5 Japan, No. 21 Korea, No. 12 New Zealand and Chinese Taipei.
After day two of the event concluded yesterday in Queensland, Australia, Chinese Taipei, Australia and the Philippines (coached by Nee) all improved to 2-0 to secure their places in the semifinals and consequently, a berth in the 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship. They will be joined by Japan who also advanced with a 2-0 record.
After a day off today, the semifinals take place Friday and the medal round is on Saturday, with the gold medal game at 5:30 p.m. Sunshine Coast time.
Live results throughout the championship can be found on World Lacrosse and Lacrosse Australia's digital channels, with up-to-date scores on Lacrosse Australia's website.
Streaming will be available for free on WL TV for every game of the championship, pending field conditions.
Following the conclusion of the games, all attention will turn to the 2025 season at Columbia. The Lions' full 2025 schedule can be found HERE. The season will open the season on February 15 on the road against Oregon.
For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsLax on Twitter and Instagram, on Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaLax and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Nee is a coach for the Philippines, while Zhai is an attack on China's roster.
Earlier this year, World Lacrosse's decades-long vision to return the sport to the Olympic stage has been realized, with the International Olympic Committee approving lacrosse's inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
As teams look to qualify for the 2028 Olympics, one way to do so is via the 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship. This week, Sunshine Coast Stadium in Australia is hosting eight nations vying for the Asia-Pacific Championship and a bid into that World Lacrosse Championship next year.
Spots in the 16-team field for the 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship will be awarded to the top three finishers other than Japan (Japan has qualified automatically, as the host of the event in 2026).
Pool play at the Asia-Pacific Women's Lacrosse Championship took place from Monday through Wednesday earlier this week. Pool A featured No. 4 Australia, No. 19 China, No. 16 Hong Kong and the Philippines, while Pool B featured No. 5 Japan, No. 21 Korea, No. 12 New Zealand and Chinese Taipei.
After day two of the event concluded yesterday in Queensland, Australia, Chinese Taipei, Australia and the Philippines (coached by Nee) all improved to 2-0 to secure their places in the semifinals and consequently, a berth in the 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship. They will be joined by Japan who also advanced with a 2-0 record.
After a day off today, the semifinals take place Friday and the medal round is on Saturday, with the gold medal game at 5:30 p.m. Sunshine Coast time.
Live results throughout the championship can be found on World Lacrosse and Lacrosse Australia's digital channels, with up-to-date scores on Lacrosse Australia's website.
Streaming will be available for free on WL TV for every game of the championship, pending field conditions.
Following the conclusion of the games, all attention will turn to the 2025 season at Columbia. The Lions' full 2025 schedule can be found HERE. The season will open the season on February 15 on the road against Oregon.
For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsLax on Twitter and Instagram, on Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaLax and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
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