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THE SCOOP
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Communication can be tricky. Lapp specializes in defense, while Peck is focused on offense. When one of them wants to call a timeout while on the field during a game, they call out to each other “book club,” a phrase Lapp adopted as a junior in her first year as player-coach. “When we played in the A-Town Throwdown (an annual WCLA tournament hosted by Georgia), some teams adjusted their defense to our offense and it was difficult for Lauren and I to communicate what we needed to do,” Peck said. “After the A-Town Throwdown, we had a sit-down and really discussed what we needed to do when different teams adjust like that and how to make quick adjustments while on the field.” Competition runs deep at this year’s WCLA nationals. Players and coaches throughout the league, including Lapp, have said there is little separation between the top teams. Only 16 clubs get invited to the tournament, with many of those spots taken up by automatic qualifiers who win their conference tournament. “There’s a sense of urgency,” Lapp said. “We’ve been playing for four years, and we really want it this year. We always tell our players, if they don’t feel like playing for themselves that week, then play for us.”
The club program has thrived in the midst of a new NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse program at Florida that is in its third year. Those Gators, led by head coach Mandee O’Leary, are also highly ranked and poised for a deep run in the postseason. “We have a tremendous club program here and one we’re very proud of,” O’Leary said. “It’s a wonderful environment, and they just have a lot of fun from what I’ve seen. I think it’s a phenomenal opportunity for these young women to pursue their passion.” Three players from the club team were on the varsity squad in its inaugural 2010 season. O’Leary said the WCLA program provides a good option for Florida’s student-athletes who do not necessarily want to commit to a NCAA Division I sport but still wish to play competitive lacrosse. Lapp and Peck said the addition of a varsity program at Florida has helped the club team and credited O’Leary for being supportive of club lacrosse. “It’s wonderful to see the success that they’ve had,” O’Leary said. “These young women are committed to playing a sport they have a passion for. There’s great camaraderie among the team.” LM
20 LACROSSE MAGAZINE May 2012>>
5 Teams to Watch
at WCLA Nationals Texas
Senior Clayton Crum, who was named Lacrosse Magazine’s WCLA Division I Preseason Player of the Year, has accounted for nearly a third of the Longhorns’ offense this year. Texas’ high-tempo attack will depend on Crum’s ability to continue that level of production deep into the tournament.
Pittsburgh Gary Neft’s Panthers
rebounded after two
disappointing early season losses and beat then No. 1-ranked rival Michigan Club on March 17 in the first time Michigan traveled to the Steel City. It was the highest ranked team the Panthers ever hosted and is their only victory over a No. 1 team. Can Neft keep his team fired up come tournament time?
Chapman
Freshman attacker Lindsay Alex leads battle- tested UCSB into the US Lacrosse WCLA National Championships May 9-12 in Colorado Springs.
The Panthers were the undefeated 2011 WCLA Division II national champions before moving up to WCLA Division I this year. Chapman goes to NCAA Division III next year as the university makes a much-anticipated move to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Panthers certainly have the talent to conclude their club-level stint with another national title.
Central Florida
The Knights compete in a tough Southeastern Women’s Lacrosse League that includes Florida and Georgia. Central Florida’s only two losses at press time were to the Gators and Texas, both of which are likely to be right there in May. If the Knights can put a run together, they could be there too.
UC Santa Barbara
Any list of top WCLA Division I talent would be incomplete without mentioning the West Coast powerhouse still searching for its first national title. UC Santa Barbara has some gutsy wins this year and has been battle-tested for the national tournament. The Gauchos could be the favorite to win the whole thing.
East-West Wars
The first two WCLA Division II National Championships came down to teams from California and Maryland – with West Coast teams Cal and Chapman claiming the 2010 and 2011 titles over Loyola Club and Towson Club, respectively. But if the Pomerstone Classic in Guilford County, N.C., in March was any indication, look eastward in 2012. Preseason favorite Westminster fell to Loyola Club, Towson Club and James Madison Club – with all of those teams surging toward nationals.
Follow live coverage May 9-12 of the WCLA Nationals at
laxmagazine.com/college_women/club.
Beth Ann Jancuska (Towson Club)
A Publication of US Lacrosse
©DIRK DEWACHTER (LA); ©CECIL COPELAND (BAJ)
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