SPARKS, Md. — A talented U.S. Girls’ U19 Youth National Team punctuated a dominant weekend of play with a 15-1 victory over the Haudenosaunee Nationals on Sunday to claim the Brogden Cup title in the oldest of the three girls’ age divisions.
The 24-player U.S. squad, comprised of athletes from 10 different states, outscored Canada and the Haudenosaunee 55-2 in its three weekend games to easily claim the U19 girls’ title.
Baltimore native Payton Van Zile, committed to Navy, was among the defenders that completely stymied opponents throughout the weekend.
“We took a lot of risks by going for early interceptions and early slides this weekend, but we emphasized increasing our communication as much as we could and we had a lot of success,” she said. “I’ve been playing with and against some of these girls since middle school, so this is an awesome experience of being on the same team. It was so fun playing with these girls.”
Savannah Higgins, committed to Michigan, had two goals and an assist in Sunday’s championship game, one of 10 different players who scored for the U.S. team.
“Everyone is committed to schools and everyone is so talented, but the biggest thing is the selflessness that we focus on,” Higgins said. “We want to play a team game, rather than an “I” game. Sharing the ball is so important.”
Both players were taking part in the Brogden Cup for the second time after previously playing on the U17 girls’ squad. They are proud of helping the United States retain the title.
“It’s such an honor to get to represent our country,” Higgins said. “Having the chance to come back and do this with different coaches and some new girls is special. It’s not an opportunity that a lot of people get.”
The Haudenosaunee upset Canada 7-4 in an earlier semifinal.
A three-day tournament featuring U15, U17 and U19 boys' and girls' teams from USA Lacrosse, Lacrosse Canada and the Haudenosaunee Nationals, the Brogden Cup concluded Sunday with championship games for each division.
