BEL AIR, Md. – Dream big.
That’s the message from USA national team player Ellie Masera to the athletes competing at the USA Lacrosse Youth Nationals at Cedar Lane Regional Park. And she’s saying it specifically to the team she’s helping to coach – Igloo 2030 Arctic Blast in the 13U age group.
More than 700 girls’ lacrosse players from some of the top club programs in the country are competing in the two-day tournament in the 13U, 14U and 15U age brackets.
“There are so many memories that I’ve had throughout my years of travel lacrosse with the girls that I still play with today, whether that’s from PAL (Police Athletic League) or this and we were able to form bonds throughout these summer tournaments,” Masera said. “You never know where these things are going to lead, but it’s so much joy being surrounded by this and having the opportunity to coach in this makes me think back on the times and think, ‘Oh my god, that was so fun.’ I feel like as much as I can help them find joy in that, that’s really what I’m here for.”
Sydney Scales, who earned all-tournament honors in helping the U.S. to the Pan-American Women’s Lacrosse Championship last month, was also on site for a Gait Lacrosse-sponsored demo clinic and meet-and-greet with her former Boston College teammate Mckenna Davis.
“When I saw the team warming up on the side grass field, I feel like I was just there,” Scales said. “It’s crazy to think that was like eight years ago. It’s awesome. I miss it.”
The tournament atmosphere certainly brings out the competitive side in everyone, but at these age groups, it’s also about developing as players.
“At this level the most important thing is just making sure that you’re getting better – every tournament, every summer – whatever it is and focusing on that, because when you get caught up in the rankings that can go to your head, and you don’t perform at your best,” Scales said.
Masera challenges her players to think on their own.
“A great part of that is asking them questions,” Masera said. “I may know the answer, but trying to get them to answer the question and figure it out so they develop their IQ instead of just telling them ‘do this, do that, this is where you should be.’ That’s how I try to coach at least.”
Competing is also a great way to learn and put those lessons to the test.
One of the more entertaining finishes on Tuesday came in the 13U bracket with thinklax Maryland Select scoring a late goal to force overtime and then edging Long Island power Yellow Jackets Babst 7-6 on a free position goal by Gianna Principi.
The opportunity to play against a well-respected program like the Yellow Jackets excited the Maryland Select squad and gave them a challenge. As they game went on, they were more comfortable moving the ball to try and beat a zone and they ended up on the winning side on the opening day of the tournament, but there’s a bigger goal in the big picture.
“Building confident, happy girls is why I became a coach,” said Maryland Select coach Sarah Biron, a former Johns Hopkins player. “I want them to walk away with their heads up regardless of that score. It’s easy to have your head up when you have an overtime win, but if it was an overtime loss the message from their coaches should be a positive one.”
Here’s a quick look at some of the highlights from Tuesday:
13U
Maryland Select’s win helped them to a 3-0 record in pool play, making them one of three undefeated teams in the age grouping. The Yellow Jackets O’Sullivan squad also went 3-0 and Concept Lacrosse from Colorado opened the day with an 8-8 tie against All Lax Select, but then came back to pull out one-goal wins over DEWLAX and Igloo to go 2-0-1. Those three advanced to the quarterfinal round along with five 2-1 teams – Alliance National, Igloo Lacrosse, Team 91 Long Island Frenzy, Ultimate Blue and Yellow Jackets Babst.
14U
Yellow Jackets Friedman, the 13U champ at this tournament from a year ago was one of three undefeated teams in the age bracket. They were joined in the unbeaten ranks by Mass Elite Red and Team 91 Long Island Roar. Also advancing to the quarterfinals were 3d Garden State, Mass Elite White, Team 91 Long Island Thunder, thinklax Maryland Select and Yellow Jackets Manning.
15U
Mass Elite beat the Yellow Jackets in the 14U championship game a year ago and those two programs account for five of the semifinalists. Mass Elite Red went 3-0 and was the No. 1 seed out of the Blue Pool and Yellow Jackets Bert/Maget also went 3-0 to earn the top seed out the Red Pool. Joining those two teams in the quarterfinals are DEWLAX, Mass Elite White, thinklax Maryland Select, Toronto Rock Stars, Yellow Jackets Carranante and Yellow Jackets Napolitano
The 2025 USA Lacrosse Youth Nationals are sponsored by Capelli Sport, Gait Lacrosse, Hotel Planner, GoLiveSports and MedStar Health.
USA national team players Sydney Scales and Mckenna Davis with players from the Alliance National program during a Gait Lacrosse demo clinic and meet-and-greet.
