Suriano Answers the Call of Duty for U.S. Women at Atlas Cup

If the U.S. Women’s team was to award a hustle award on day two of the Atlas Cup, the clear winner would be a player who didn’t even see the field in Saturday’s 28-2 win over Ireland.

Meet backup goalie JJ Suriano, who wasn’t even in Sparks when the day began. 

The senior All-American at Maryland played in two fall ball games in College Park earlier in the day as the Terps battled Virginia and Virginia Tech. Afterwards, Suriano checked her phone and saw that U.S. head coach Lindsey Munday had texted to ask about her availability for Saturday evening’s game against Ireland.

With the blessing of Maryland coach Cathy Reese, Suriano quickly packed a bag and made the one hour drive north to the USA Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks. She was ready for her third game of the day but knew that she would only be used in emergency duty.

Suriano is the reigning IWLCA Division I National Goalie of the Year at Maryland and played for the U.S. U20 training team in 2023-24. She was in training camp for the U.S. senior sixes squad in August and again in September in Buffalo, but did not get named to the roster for the Pan-American Championship or Atlas Cup. 

But that changed after U.S. goalie Shea Dolce was injured in the first half of Friday’s Atlas Cup opener against the Haudenosaunee. With Dolce unavailable for the rest of the weekend, the U.S. roster was left with just Jenika Cuocco in goal. Another goalie injury would have left the team vulnerable. 

“I wasn’t expecting this, and Lindsey was super transparent and told me I wouldn’t play unless something unexpected happened,” Suriano said. “I’ve never been on the official U.S. roster for a real game, so to even put on the uniform and be on the sidelines is such a proud moment for me.”

Jenika played all 32 minutes of Saturday’s blowout win against Ireland, finishing with six saves, while Suriano waited in the wings in case she was needed. She’ll also be with the team for Sunday’s Atlas Cup final against arch-rival Canada.

“I know all the girls from training camp, so that was nice and makes it easier to be here,” Suriano said. “It was a super exciting day.”

The U.S. made quick work of Ireland, building a 15-1 halftime lead and never looking back to improve to 2-0 on the weekend heading into Sunday’s final game against Canada. Ally Kennedy led all scorers with five goals while Kate Levy added four goals and four assists.

In Saturday’s opening game, Canada defeated the Haudenosaunee 15-8 with Nicole Perroni scoring five goals to lead the way.