Eight Tar Heels Named to 2017 U.S. Women’s Lacrosse Roster

If two national championships in the last four years wasn’t enough to show the dominance of the UNC women’s lacrosse program, then Monday’s news should be.

Of the 36 players selected to play on the United States National Team in the 2017 World Cup, eight are either current or former Tar Heels.

For those who struggle with math, that’s nearly a quarter of the entire roster.

Maryland–which has also won two of the last four titles–was second with six players on the team. Next on the list was Syracuse with five.

“We’re always surprised at who the 36 are, because it’s not always the 36 we thought going into the tryout,” Team USA coach Ricky Fried said. “That speaks volumes to the process and to the coaches and evaluators involved. It’s a process that creates great value.”

Midfielders Maggie Bill (UNC ’17) and Marie McCool (’18) join goalie Caylee Waters (’17) as three of the team’s nine players who are still currently in college.

Leading the old guard is a group that consists of midfielder Laura Zimmerman (’12) and four defenders–Kristen Carr (’10), Jen Russell (’10), Sloane Serpe (’14) and Courtney Waite (’15).

The next step for each of these players is to begin preparation for next year’s World Cup, which will be held in Guildford, England.

Unfortunately, only half of the 36 women chosen will make the final 18-player roster that will play in the event. They’ll also be under pressure to defend the title won by the U.S. at the last World Cup back in 2013.

With eight of the players from the 2013 team returning for another shot, Coach Fried likes the mix of talent he’s seen so far throughout training.

“The athleticism and skill displayed was, as always, at a very high level,” Fried said.

“What we’re more excited about is the ability of our returning players to make our younger players feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves by being here; that it’s more meaningful to be a part of a program than just part of a World Cup team.”