There is truth to the fact that the members of the U.S. U20 offense have clicked as if they’d been playing together for years. Taylor and Madison Alaimo, a standout as a freshman at Virginia last spring, suited up for Wantagh (N.Y.) for two seasons before the former headed to Northwestern.
Together, Taylor and Alaimo helped raise the Wantagh program to new heights, appearing in the Nassau County title game multiple times. Less than three years later, they’re working in tandem across the world — connecting five times so far for goals.
“Playing with Maddie in high school has definitely been helpful,” Taylor said. “We’ve picked up right where we left off, and we have chemistry maybe more so than players who have yet to play with her.”
When Taylor isn’t receiving passes from Alaimo, she’s getting pinpoint feeds from LoPinto, her former high school rival. Opponents on the basketball court and the lacrosse field during their high school careers, Taylor is relishing the opportunity to play with LoPinto.
The tournament’s two leading scorers, each of whom wanted to emulate the other, connected twice in the victory over Puerto Rico.
“Two of the best players in the NCAA on one team in Emma and Madison, and then you add in Madison Alaimo, and it’s just a really cool dynamic that they have,” Amonte Hiller said. “All the other players that come in and out, it’s a dynamic group.”
LoPinto isn’t the only member of the Boston College national championship team to enjoy playing with Taylor for the first time. Lydia Colasante and Shea Baker both spent time defending Taylor in two games this season. The happiest Eagles player, though, might be All-American goalie Shea Dolce.
“When Madison gets her hands free, it’s almost always going in the back of the net,” Dolce said. “Her shot is probably top three types of shots I’ve seen. A lot of people can shoot a lefty sweep, but when she has a stick in her hand, she’s almost automatic. Now being able to watch it from the other side, I’m happy and constantly in awe of her shot.”
Taylor’s left-handed shot has developed into one of the most dangerous tools in the game, and it could prove vital if the U.S. hopes to repeat as gold medalists in Hong Kong. For now, she said she’s enjoying a lacrosse memory of a lifetime.
In Thursday’s opening ceremonies, Taylor carried the United States flag out to the field at Mong Kok Stadium. Twelve goals and two wins later, she stills lists that moment as the highlight of her journey to Hong Kong.
“Easily, that was the best moment,” she said. “That was surreal. Just seeing the way people ran up to us, some were almost in tears. It makes you be grateful for where you are and what we’re doing. Getting to walk out with the flag has been something I’ll remember forever.”