Lacrosse Players Take Second Place in Global Competition
Seton
BY PAUL GLASSER
LaSalle and USC students faced off against the world in the Netherlands Lacrosse Cup .
Although they came in second place , several local lacrosse players say participating in a tournament in the Netherlands earlier this year was a great experience .
Several high school students from Upper St . Clair and Seton LaSalle high schools were part of the U . S . team that competed in the 2017 Netherlands Lacrosse Cup in January . The U . S . team faced opponents from Germany , Belgium and the Netherlands , but lost to the Swedish national team in the final round . Olivia Gerlach , a sophomore at USC , played midfield for the U . S . team and says the Swedish players were older and very talented .
“ They had skills I had never witnessed before ,” Olivia explains . “ It was a challenge but I strive for challenges .”
Although they didn ’ t win first place , she is proud of how the team performed . Emily Megonnell , a junior at USC , was an attacker for the U . S . team and says that all the players wanted to win . Her sister , Hannah Thompson , also participated in the tournament . “ We worked hard and none of us
Showing off the silver .
were really disappointed ,” Emily notes . “ We knew we did our best .”
Kaitlyn Binotto , a senior at Seton LaSalle , was the goalie for the U . S . team and had also participated in the 2016 cup . The additional experience meant that the team was more coordinated this year .
“ The first time I went we had never played with each other before ,” she explains . “ We learned we had to work more efficiently and execute better . We really meshed together well .”
In addition , players who were competing overseas for the first time had to adjust to a new style of play . The tournament was held on a smaller indoor court , as opposed to outdoors , so games were much fasterpaced . The ball was also much lighter . “ Our lacrosse ball is very hard and bouncy ,” Olivia notes . “ Their lacrosse ball was pink and very soft , so I had to shoot and pass a lot harder than usual due to the ball being so light .”
Although the atmosphere was competitive , the American players all say the European players were
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