USA’s Anna Brandt Celebrating Homecoming During Atlas Cup

SPARKS, Md. — Talk to any of this weekend’s Atlas Cup participants, and they will all tell you the same thing. They couldn’t be more excited to be representing their country while playing against international opponents during this three-day event at USA Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Md.

But for one U.S. Women's Sixes Training Team member, this event is also special for another reason. It’s homecoming weekend for Anna Brandt, who grew up just a long clearing pass away from Tierney Field in the town of White Hall.

“My family has been in this area for a long time,” Brandt said. “I’m kind of a small-town girl. I love this area, and it means a lot to be home.”

As a local product, Brandt is one of the few USA players, male or female, who can say she saw the USA Lacrosse headquarters, which opened in 2016, from its infancy.

“I certainly remember when USA Lacrosse was being built up here and it was such a big deal for this community,” she said. “We were so excited that this headquarters was coming here. We couldn’t wait to see it and play on this field.”

Brandt has fond memories of playing at Tierney Field with her Hereford High School team, usually against their main rival, Dulaney High School. She also returned to the venue as a collegiate player at Penn, facing Georgetown in a neutral-site contest during the 2024 season. She had three goals and an assist that day to help lead her Quakers to victory.

“It’s always so nice to play here because I have so much local family and they can easily get here to watch the games,” said Brandt, who graduated from Penn this past spring as a three-time All-Ivy League first-team honoree and a first-team All-American midfielder.

Brandt finished her career as Penn’s all-time leader in goals scored (206) and draw controls (214), and third on the all-time points list (215). She started in all 73 games of her college career and was a Tewaaraton Award nominee this past season.

Brandt is now reveling in the opportunity to continue playing lacrosse, especially as a member of the U.S. team.

“This is such a dream come true for me,” said Brandt, who recorded  three goals and one assist in Friday’s night’s 18-5 USA victory over the Haudenosaunee Nationals. “This is the biggest honor and privilege for me, and I don’t take it lightly. It really means a lot.”

Charlotte North and Chloe Humphrey each scored four goals to pace the U.S., which had nine different players contribute goals. The Americans outscored the Haudenosaunee 13-2 in the middle two quarters to seize control of the game, and finished with a 46-23 edge in total shots.

Canada Prevails Over Puerto Rico

In the first game of the day, Madalyn Baxter scored a game-high four goals and Aurora Cordingley and Erica Evans added three goals and two assists each to lead Canada to a 22-8 win over Puerto Rico.

Leading 5-4 after one quarter, Canada outscored Puerto Rico 5-1 in the second quarter to build a five-goal halftime lead and take control. Nine different players tallied goals for Canada.

Three Stars

Chloe Humphrey, United States: The reigning Tewaaraton Award winner and North Carolina redshirt sophomore tallied four goals and added two assists for a game-high six points in USA’s 18-5 win.

Erica Evans, Canada: The Canadian veteran scored three goals on four shots, adding two assists and two ground balls in a 22-8 victory over Puerto Rico.

Paige Crandall, Haudenosaunee: The former Le Moyne goalie who dazzled at the Pan-American Women's Lacrosse Championship earlier this summer registered 16 saves while facing 46 shots in the loss t o the U.S.

SCHEDULE/SCORES

Friday, Sept. 26

Women: Canada 22, Puerto Rico 8   
Box Score | Replay

Men: Canada 24, Haudenosaunee 16   
Box Score | Replay

Men: United States 23, Puerto Rico 13  
Box Score | Replay

Women: United States 18, Haudenosunee 5  
Box Score | Replay

Saturday, Sept. 27

Men: Haudenosunee vs. Puerto Rico  
4 p.m. EDT | Watch

Women: Canada vs. Haudenosaunee  
5:30 p.m. EDT | Watch

Women: Puerto Rico vs. United States  
7 p.m. EDT | Watch

Men: Canada vs. United States   
8:30 p.m. EDT | Watch

Sunday, Sept. 28

Women: Haudenosaunee vs. Puerto Rico   
9 a.m. EDT | Watch

Women: Canada vs. United States  
10:30 a.m. EDT | Watch

Men: Canada vs. Puerto Rico  
12 p.m. EDT | Watch

Men: Haudenosaunee vs. United State  
1:30 p.m. EDT | Watch