WLL Week 1 Preview: A New Era is Here

The next era of professional women's lacrosse is here.

The WLL isn't new. Fans have become plenty familiar with the teams and stars with two WLL Championship Series' in the books. But expansion is here. For the first time, the WLL will play a full-field, 10-v-10 season that kicks off this weekend in Providence, R.I.

The New York Charging and Boston Guard square off Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Eastern (streaming on ESPN+) in the inaugural game of the WLL's full-season format. And naturally, the stars are out to put on a show.

New York, the reigning Championship Series winner, boasts a Northwestern-heavy core headlined by Izzy Scane. A team best known for its offensive prowess, the Charging bolstered their roster in offseason drafts and are the easy favorites entering the summer season.

Boston, however, is no slouch. The Guard boast a heavy Boston College Eagles flavor, of course led by Charlotte North. The Guard won the first WLL Championship Series, so opening weekend is a must-watch contest between the league's two champions.

We'll have more WLL coverage as the summer season progresses. But before week one, here's what you need to know about the league, its teams and the rosters.

NEW YORK CHARGING

Championship Series Record: 2-1 (Champion)

Week 1 Roster

Attack: Erin Coykendall, Mckenna Davis, Riley Campbell, Megan Carney, Izzy Scane

Midfield: Lauren Gilbert, Emerson Bohlig, Alyssa Long, Natalie Smith, Sam Smith, Emily Hawryschuk

Defense: Katie Goodale, Sammy White, Kendall Halpern, Grace Fujinaga, Sydney Scales

Goalie: Delaney Sweitzer, Madison Doucette

Led by super scorer Izzy Scane, the Charging are coming off a dominant run to the Championship Series title. They fortified their defense in the supplemental and college drafts and should be viewed as a league favorite in the WLL's first outdoor, full-field run.

CALIFORNIA PALMS

Championship Series Record: 2-1 (Runner-Up)

Full Roster

Note: The Palms do not play in Week 1 and have thus not named an official active roster.

Attack: Sammy Jo Adelsberger, Erin Bakes, Sam Geiersbach, Emma LoPinto, Gabby Rosenzweig, Jill Smith, Caroline Steele, Jackie Wolak, Caitlyn Wurzburger

Midfield: Anna Brandt, Ellie Masera, Ally Mastroianni, Marie McCool

Defense: Jordan Dean, Katie Detwiler, Emily Nalls, Grace Weigand, Kayla Wood

Goalie: Kait Devir, Taylor Moreno

Adding Marie McCool and Emma Muchnick to a line that already featured Anna Brandt, Ally Mastroianni and Ellie Masera will make it extremely difficult for other teams to keep up with the Palms in the midfield. The original WLL lineups were built for sixes. Moving to 10-v-10 makes adding a pair of U.S. National team middies a no-brainer.

BOSTON GUARD

Championship Series record: 1-2 (Semifinalist)

Week 1 Roster

Attack: Andie Aldave, Rachel Clark, Kaylee Dyer, Kenzie Kent, Charlotte North, Kasey Choma (attack/midfield)

Midfield: Madison Ahern, Dempsey Arsenault, Hannah Dorney, Amy Moreau, Savannah Sweitzer, Fallon Vaughn, Kerry Nease (midfield/draw)

Defense: Shea Baker, Maddie Burns, Courtney Taylor

Goalie: Shea Dolce, Rachel Hall

The BC vibes got stronger with Kent and Clark selected in the supplemental draft and both Sheas in the college draft. Charlotte North is the centerpiece. Dempsey Arsenault, Rachel Hall and Cassidy Weeks also are on the roster. Weeks will miss week one with a knee injury, though she is expected to be back for Boston's next game on June 6.

MARYLAND CHARM

Championship Series record: 1-2 (Semifinalist)

Full Roster

Note: The Charm do not play in Week 1 and have thus not named an official active roster.

Attack: Sam Apuzzo, Sydni Black, McKenzie Blake, Aurora Cordingley, Alex Holman, Ashley Humphrey, Livy Rosenzweig

Midfield: Kelly Denes, Sam DeVito, Olivia Dirks, Erica Evans, Grace Griffin, Nicole Humphrey, Ally Kennedy, Brooklyn Neumen, Cassidy Spilis, Sam Swart

Defense: Abby Bosco, Megan Douty

Goalie: Paulina DiFatta, Emily Sterling, Caylee Waters

Finishing last in the Championship Series meant picking first in the supplemental draft, and the Charm pounced on Sam Apuzzo for good reason. She wins everywhere.