Grow the Game®

women's 2015 lacrosse championship united states
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on reddit
Share on whatsapp

U.S. Women’s National Training Team Announced

This is coming a couple of days late, however it’s big news and definitely worth commenting on, as US Lacrosse has announced the 25-player U.S. Women’s National Training Team roster.

The team was selected from the standing 38-player roster comprising the 2012-14 U.S. Women’s National Team, and these 25 players will train with Team USA in preparation for the July 2013 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Cup in Oshawa, Ontario... 

The reigning world champion U.S. women’s national team, which defeated Australia, 8-7, to win the 2009 World Cup, will announce a final 18-player roster for the 2013 World Cup in early February.

Grouped by position; listed by name and college.

Attack
Katrina Dowd, Northwestern
Danielle Etrasco, Boston University
Lindsey Munday, Northwestern*
Katie Rowan, Syracuse*
Shannon Smith, Northwestern^
Michelle Tumolo, Syracuse

Midfield
Sarah Albrecht, Northwestern*
Kelly Berger, James Madison
Sarah Bullard, Duke*^
Ally Carey, Vanderbilt^
Brittany Dashiell, Florida
Kristin Igoe, Boston College
Caitlyn McFadden, Maryland*
Kelly McPartland, Maryland#
Katie Schwarzmann, Maryland
Laura Zimmerman, North Carolina

Defense
Kristen Carr, North Carolina
Amber Falcone, North Carolina*
Katie Hertsch, Hofstra
Holly McGarvie Reilly, Princeton*
Gina Oliver, Ohio State*
Jennifer Russell, North Carolina

Goalie
Liz Hogan, Syracuse
Megan Huether, Duke*
Devon Wills, Dartmouth*

* 2009 U.S. women’s national team member
# 2011 U.S. women’s national under-19 team member
^ 2007 U.S. women’s national under-19 team member

We’re very appreciative of the efforts of all 38 members of this year’s team and view the announcement of this group as a selection, not a cut,” Team USA coach Ricky Fried said. “Champion Challenge is the final opportunity for each of these 25 players to put their final stamp on the tryout and training process. We expect to have some tough decisions on our hands come February, but are confident that we’ll select a smart, fast and cohesive group to travel to Canada next summer.”

[Above information from US Lacrosse Press Release]

2009 World Cup Champions

Heavy Hitters:

Tumolo, Smith, and Etrasco are the new faces in the US attack. Their playing style complement that of the attacking core: big dodges, big shots, and amazing stick work. Tumolo, Smith, Rowan and Dowd are primarily crease players, while Etrasco and Munday do work everywhere. It will be interesting to see who gets the nod to go to Canada after the Champions Challenge this January.

We find some “old” reliables and some fresh new faces in the midfield. Albrecht already has a gold medal under her belt from 2009; they will most likely be looking for her leadership on the draw. Kristin Igoe looks to make the team as the first member from Boston College. She is as fast and versatile as they come, playing major roles on attack and defense in college, and had this to say:
“I am so excited to be a part of the US training team, and feel very fortunate that I get to play with and learn from some of the best. I am also honored to represent Boston College at the national level!”

The defensive unit might be the most experienced until on the field. Falcone, McGarvie Reilly, and Oliver will anchor with Carr, Hertsch, and Russell playing supporting roles.

Devon Wills will once again quarterback the whole team from net. She will be backed up by Huether and Hogan. This is Hogan’s first time on the team, whereas Huether has been around since graduating in 2005. Who will get the nod as the #2?

Noticeable absences:

Attack:

Dookies Katie Chrest and Caroline Cryer; both played for the Developmental and Elite teams, and the 2008 Prague Touring Team.

The midfield was purged:

Acacia Walker made the decision to retire from the National team this summer following an almost 14-year career on some iteration of US Lacrosse’s top team. Her absence will be felt in the midfield, where she commanded the draw and ran the attack. 

Becoming the Head Coach at Boston College created a shift in mentality for me.  As hard as it was to retire, I knew in my heart that I wanted every ounce of my energy, passion and focus going into my team at BC. For 13 years all I wanted was a World Championship Gold medal, to be able represent our country, and the chance to play the game I love with my best friends.  Thanks to USL I got all of that and more. Now it’s time for someone else to chase that dream……How exciting is that!

Michele DeJuliis has been involved with the National Team either as a Developmental or Elite team member since 1994. She was an alternate for the 2005 World Cup, a member of the 2008 Prague Touring team, and a World Champion in 2009.

Michi Ellers made the Developmental team in 2004, and the Elite team in 2006. She toured in Prague and played in the 2009 World Cup.

Goalies:

Kendall McBrearty and Amy Altig. Both alternates from the 2009 World Cup, and former Developmental team members are absent from the Training Team roster.

Take aways:

There is the usual heavy ACC contingent, but overall the training roster features women from new and different schools. This only speaks to the growth of the game.

ACC:

North Carolina: 4
Maryland: 3
Duke: 2
Boston College: 1
Syracuse (’13): 3

Other:

Northwestern: 4
Florida: 1
Dartmouth: 1
Princeton: 1
Boston University: 1
Ohio State: 1
Vanderbilt: 1
James Madison: 1
Hofstra: 1

This team is looking younger and fresher, however one might be surprised to see that there is only one member of the 2011 U-19 National Team on the training roster… why? The U-19 team won gold at the World Cup, and all players are on very good college teams, making impacts (Mikaela Rix, Covie Stanwick, Tatum Coffey, etc). Why aren’t these players trying out for and/or making the Senior team?

Why don’t we see more of you on the Senior team??

Any way you slice it, these women are the embodiment of commitment to the sport and its advancement. They are the pinnacle of women’s lacrosse. Every single one is involved in women’s lacrosse outside of the national team. Those that are not in college, are coaching (college, club, or high school). And those that are coaching at the college level are not just returning to their alma maters or conference opponents; they are branching out to new programs – growing the game at the collegiate level.

This is having the widespread “trickle down” / Reaganomics  effect – better college teams in new areas = better club teams in those areas. Example: Denver or USC and the rise of players from those areas. I can’t wait to see where the players on the 2021 National Team are from… Maybe that’s looking too far ahead, but with the rise of lacrosse in the United States, I could see players representing ANY state.

All in all, go USA. Do what you do best – win gold.