Unlike the Athletes Unlimited softball and volleyball inaugural seasons, I went into the first AU lacrosse season with virtually no knowledge of the sport or players. Two weeks into the five-week season, I’ve learned a lot and am enjoying the journey.
Photo courtesy of Athletes Unlimited.
The entire season takes place on Maureen Hendricks Field at Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Maryland. There are four teams playing each other over a three-day stretch every weekend.
Goalie Angie Benson photo courtesy of Athletes Unlimited.
Like the other AU sports, lacrosse is all about the players. With no team owners or coaches, the players are the decision-makers and stakeholders in the league. The players essentially run the league.
Kylie Olhmiller and Sammy Jo Tracy photo courtesy of Athletes Unlimited.
Because of the unique setup, teams change weekly. Individual players earn points based on both team and individual performance, with the top four players each week named captains who draft the next week’s teams. The leaderboard constantly changes, and the player with the most points in the end will be crowned individual champion.
Dempsey Arsenault photo courtesy of Athletes Unlimited.
Players earn bonuses during the season based on performance. Individually chosen player causes also benefit, receiving a portion of the bonuses.
Halle Majorana and Sam Apuzzo photo courtesy of Athletes Unlimited.
Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports. With all AU lacrosse games broadcast across several platforms, it brings the sport to its largest audience ever. I never previously watched a lacrosse game, but I’ve watched every game of AU lacrosse so far.
Alex Aust
Two weeks into the season, defender Kayla Wood tops the leaderboard. A three-time conference champ at University of North Carolina, the Baltimore native hopes to join softball’s Cat Osterman and volleyball’s Jordan Larson as a first-season champion.
Kayla Wood (left) and Marie McCool (right) photo courtesy of Athletes Unlimited.
After the three weeks remaining in the season, I expect to be beyond my current novice level. The AU fun doesn’t end there, though. The AU softball season starts the next week, and that takes place in Rosemont, 15 minutes from my home. I can’t wait.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
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