USA Lacrosse Women’s Sixes Training Camp: A Prelude to The World Games

Upcoming Training Camp in Sparks, Maryland

The anticipation is building as 26 of the country’s top women’s lacrosse players gather at the USA Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Maryland, for a specialized training camp from June 11-12. This camp aims to prepare these elite athletes for their upcoming challenge at The World Games, a prestigious quadrennial event akin to the Olympics, where women’s lacrosse will be featured prominently. The excitement peaks as the World Games take place this summer in Chengdu, China, from August 7-11.

Selection of the Final Roster

Under the guidance of Head Coach Lindsey Munday and her esteemed coaching staff, this camp holds significant importance. From this group, a talented 12-player roster will be selected to represent the United States at The World Games. Following the June training camp, a staging camp is set to occur in Los Angeles in early August, ensuring that the players are finely tuned before heading to the international stage in China.

A Foundation of Experience

The participants’ credentials are impressive. Following a three-day camp for the U.S. women’s field team, 23 of the 26 players attending the sixes camp will have already undergone rigorous training. Among them, Ellie Masera stands out as the sole participant from The World Games 2022. However, many players boast international sixes experience. Twelve of them—Sam Apuzzo, Erin Coykendall, Ally Kennedy, Kenzie Kent, Ally Mastroianni, Marie McCool, Taylor Moreno, Charlotte North, Izzy Scane, Cassidy Spilis, Caylee Waters, and Cassidy Weeks—were part of a successful campaign last fall where they went undefeated against teams from Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Great Britain.

Recent Success in Sixes

Adding to their confidence, players like Emily Hawryschuk, Mastroianni, and Moreno were pivotal in the U.S. team’s thrilling 8-7 victory over Canada at the 2023 Super Sixes in Oshawa, Ontario. Moreno showcased her skills with an impressive 14 saves, while Hawryschuk contributed significantly to the offense with two goals and an assist, alongside Mastroianni, who also notched a crucial goal. Such performances not only underline the team’s talent but also hint at their potential for success in the upcoming games.

A Historical Perspective

This iteration of The World Games is poised to feature up to 5,000 athletes across 34 different sports, marking the third time women’s lacrosse is recognized as a medal sport. However, it’s notable that, unlike previous editions, there will be no men’s competition this year. Reflecting on past performances, the U.S. team claimed the inaugural gold medal in 2017, triumphing 11-8 over Canada in a full-field 10v10 format in Wroclaw, Poland. In a twist of fate, Canada defeated the U.S. in the championship game during the sixes discipline in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2022, ending the event with a score of 14-12.

Future of the Sport

Looking ahead, the format utilized in this year’s World Games is indicative of the future direction for lacrosse, as it will be employed again in The World Games 2025 and the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. With Munday, a seasoned athlete and two-time gold medalist in field lacrosse, at the helm as head coach of the women’s sixes program since April 2024, the preparation for these landmark events is in capable hands.

Training Camp Roster

A quick glance at the roster reveals an impressive pool of talent ready to make an impact at the camp and beyond. Players hail from notable colleges and carry the torch for women’s lacrosse, promising a blend of skill, experience, and deep-rooted passion for the sport. Here’s a breakdown of the invitees:

• Sam Apuzzo (Field, West Babylon, N.Y., Boston College ’19)
• Erin Coykendall (Field, Spencerport, N.Y., Northwestern ’24)
• Ellie Masera (Field, Eastport, N.Y., Stony Brook ’24)
• Taylor Moreno (Goalie, Huntington, N.Y., North Carolina ’21)
• Charlotte North (Field, Dallas, Texas, Boston College ’21)
• Caylee Waters (Goalie, Darien, Conn., North Carolina ’17)

This list features a blend of veteran players and emerging talents, all determined to showcase their abilities on the world stage.

Support for the Team

The U.S. Women’s National Team benefits from top-notch gear and apparel, proudly outfitted by Capelli Sport and using advanced equipment from Gait Lacrosse and STX. With official sponsors like MedStar Health and NCSI backing them, alongside support from generous donors to the USA Lacrosse Foundation, the team is well-equipped for the challenges ahead.

This training camp marks a pivotal moment for these athletes—not just as they strive for individual greatness, but as they come together to forge a formidable U.S. team that aims to reclaim glory on the international stage.