WLL Preview: Homecomings All Around in Charging v. Charm

The top two teams in the Women’s Lacrosse League are going head-to-head this weekend at Hofstra’s James M. Shuart Stadium on Long Island.  

The New York Charging get a home game against the Maryland Charm at 6:15 p.m. Eastern, and while there’s still plenty of season remaining, the winner will prove it’s for real. Here’s what to look for on Saturday.  

WINNING VERSUS WINNING

The Charging and Charm are the only WLL teams without a notch in the loss column.  

The Charging beat the Boston Guard 17-12 in the inaugural WLL regular-season game. A 6-0 run by Charging in the third quarter was the difference in that one.

The Charm needed overtime to beat the California Palms, as Cassidy Spilis called game for an 18-17 win. Spilis scored four times in that game, and the winner was assisted by Sydni Black — who also produced five goals.

QB1

There was no answer for Ashley Humphrey against the Palms. She recorded three goals and six assists, the most ever in a WLL game. No surprise there, as Humphrey is the NCAA’s Division I all-time leader with 258 assists.

She also claimed the records for assists in a single season with 90 and the single-season assists per game mark with 4.63. Her game has translated perfectly from the college stage to the pro level so far.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

Members of the Class of 2026 will make their WLL debuts for the Charging and Charm this Saturday. For New York, Ava Class, Darcy Felter, and U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Kori Edmondson are taking the field for the first time.  

For Maryland, 2026 Division I national champion Jenika Cuocco is now ready to go in the cage. Cuocco joins a loaded goalie room that also features U.S. Women’s National Team goalie Caylee Waters and former Big Ten goalie of the year Emily Sterling. Waters started against the Palms and made 13 saves.

HOMECOMING

The Bulls are back in New York. For defender Kendall Halpern and midfielders Katie Goodale and Natalie Smith, it is a true homecoming back on Long Island.  

On the Charm side, Cuocco, U.S. Women’s National Team captain and attacker Sam Apuzzo, and U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Ally Kennedy are back on Long Island, too. It’s a homecoming all around.