The USA Lacrosse Fall Classic was a showcase for the U.S. women’s national team, which upended Canada and topped Boston College in a pair of games last weekend. Big margins were fueled by big performances, giving the coaching staff plenty to think about as it continues to evaluate the current roster ahead of the World Lacrosse Women’s Lacrosse Championship next July in Towson, Md.
Here are five takeaways from the team’s two wins at William G. Tierney Field at USA Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Md.
PARROS’ PROWESS
National team veteran Emily Parros played like a pro at Fall Classic. The speedy midfielder, blazing up the field in soccer cleats, was the textbook definition of a two-way middie. She cleared the ball efficiently — and was the recipient of two 40-yard outlet passes from goalie Taylor Moreno against Boston College — was gritty defensively and even scored one of the highlight goals of the event.
An NCAA champion at North Carolina (2013) and an Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse pro, Parros was part of a scrappy midfield also featuring Taylor Cummings and Marie McCool, among others. The ideal U.S. women’s midfield features players who can defend and finish, two things Parros proved — or rather reinforced — that she’s capable of doing.
She was the talk of social media all weekend.
YEAH, SHE BELONGS
If there were any questions whatsoever as to how Charlotte North would fit in with the national team, then the Texas product answered them quickly. She contributed five goals and three assists in two games and added to her viral highlight reel with this insane fake-to-goal.
North started on attack with Kayla Treanor and Sam Apuzzo in each game, a dream-come-true moment for the 2021 Tewaaraton Award winner. While she was awestruck by the talent around her, she was simultaneously captivating the swaths of young lacrosse players who came to watch the game.
Every time North so much as touched the ball, cheers from young girls’ lacrosse players rained down on the field. When she scored, they grew louder. She was one of the most popular players during postgame autograph sessions, too.
North blushed when humbly talking about her role in the exponential growth of women’s lacrosse, a sign the overwhelming amount of fanfare that comes with being Charlotte North is still shocking to her.
With her continued dominance on the field, it’s hardly surprising.