WLL in Fairfield: Boston Seeking First Win; Maryland Controls Destiny

The Women’s Lacrosse League travels to Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium for a Maryland Charm-Boston Guard matchup this weekend (Friday 8:30 p.m. EDT, ESPN+).

If the Charm win, they clinch the second spot in the WLL Championship. The Guard have yet to win a game. Here’s what to pay attention to.

LOOKING FOR ONE 

The Boston Guard are still looking for their first WLL regular-season win. Star player Charlotte North is out for the season as she recovers from surgery to repair her right Achilles tendon after she tore it in Boston’s second game of the season.

North has left the team with a big hole to fill. If the Guard pull off a win against Maryland, it would be a major upset.

North scored the first-ever 2-pointer in WLL history and she also holds the record in the fastest shot challenge, where she shot a ball that registered 95 mph. For context, this year’s winner, New York Charging attacker Emily Hawryschuk, won with a ball that was recorded traveling 85 mph.

Hawryschuk said that the trophy will be returned to its rightful owner next season when North is back when asked to comment about her sentiment on North’s injury.  

CHARM IN CONTROL

The Charm control their own destiny now. The Charging do not. With the win over New York last weekend, Maryland has a 55% chance at becoming the second team in the playoffs behind only the California Palms. Win Friday and they're in. (New York now only has a 32% chance of making it to the WLL Championship.)

The Charm haven’t played against anyone other than the Charging since May 29. Back in May, the Charm beat the Palms in overtime 18-17 in Baltimore,. That was the first overtime period ever played in the history of the WLL.  

USWNT x WLL

This WLL game is the last for two weeks, as many of the pro athletes are jetsetting to Japan for the World Lacrosse Women's Championship.

On the Charm side, Sam Apuzzo, Caylee Waters, Brigid Duffy, Ally Kennedy and Sam Forrest are going. For the Guard, Kenzie Kent, Charlotte North, Shea Baker and Cassidy Weeks are representing the Red, White and Blue.

Three USA captains are in this contest in Apuzzo, Kent and Waters. The other captain, Marie McCool, is a midfielder for the Palms. She won MVP of the WLL All-Star Game.

Charm head coach Emily Parros was a part of the midfield lineup for the 2022 U.S. team that made history as the first squad to win the world championship on home soil. Been there, done that!

CONNECTICUT AT THEIR CORE

It’s no secret Connecticut is a lacrosse hotbed. On the Charm, sisters Ashley Humphrey and Nicole Humphrey as well as Caylee Waters are all from nearby Darien, and Sam Forrest is a Glastonbury product. On the Guard, Maddie Epke is from Guilford and Shea Dolce is from Darien. The Constitution State has no shortage of lacrosse talent.

WHERE THEY STAND

With just two weekends remaining in the regular season, California sits atop the standings at 2-1 with a +8 score differential, followed by Maryland (2-1, +0), New York (2-2, -1) and Boston (0-2, -7).

Enjoy the WLL while the season is still in full swing!