One of the sport’s oldest traditions gets renewed this weekend with the return of the USA Lacrosse Women’s National Tournament. The event, which dates to 1933, was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the challenges of coordinating tryouts amidst the pandemic and with travel restrictions in flux, this year’s edition will welcome 40 regional all-star teams from around the country to Cedar Lane Regional Park in Bel Air, Md. from May 29-30. More than 800 of the nation’s top high school players, representing schools from 21 states and the District of Columbia, will compete in five divisions.
The event has evolved over time and is now one of the top recruiting events in the country for high school girls’ lacrosse players. A highlight of the event is the awarding of the Heather Leigh Albert Award to the top player at the national tournament.
Among the recent recipients of the HLA award are three key players for North Carolina’s No. 1 ranked team that will compete in the NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship this weekend — Ally Mastroianni (2015), Jamie Ortega (2016) and Caitlyn Wurzburger (2018). Past recipients include seven players who went on to win a gold medal with either the U.S. senior or U19 teams — Jacque Weitzel (1995), Lauren Aumiller (1999), Katie Chrest (2001), Kathleen Miller (2002), Emma Hamm (2006), Taylor Trimble (2009, 2010) and Wurzburger (2018).
Sponsors for the USA Lacrosse Women’s National Tournament include Northwest Designs Ink, First Scout Productions, HLA Foundation, The Pearl by Guardian, Next College Student Athlete, Hudl, and Game On Mouthguards.
USA Lacrosse National Tournament Schedule
Full game schedule on Tourney Machine
Saturday, May 29
8 a.m. – Games begin
5 p.m. – Last round of games begin
Sunday, May 30
8 a.m. – Games begin
8 a.m. – Blue Division championship, Field 12
8 a.m. – Green Division championship, Field 13
9 a.m. – Orange Division championship, Field 13
9 a.m. – Yellow Division, championship, Field 12
10 a.m. – Red Division championship, Field 12
11 a.m. – Awards presentation
