Energy and Gratefulness Highlight USA Lacrosse NTDP Girls' Combine

SPARKS, Md. — Ruby Cacioppo’s chrome orange Manhasset Secondary School goalie’s helmet shined brightly in the August sun as she bounced from huddle to huddle, hyping up her teammates and making sure those on the field knew she was there for support.

Over the last three days at the USA Lacrosse National Team Development Program (NTDP) Combine, Cacioppo became one of the most popular members of the USA Select U16 girls’ tryout pool. The goalie from Long Island brought unmatched energy to USA Lacrosse headquarters as she competed in a multi-faceted evaluation process.

Sure, there were nerves all around. But the players at the U16 combine had Ruby Cacioppo.

“I’m not the most popular. Don’t say that,” she said smiling as her teammates screamed her name from the promenade above Tierney Field. “I just try to bring the energy, because when we all have that energy together, everyone is having more fun and they showcase themselves better.”

Cacioppo’s father, Joseph, played lacrosse at Ohio State and catalyzed his daughter’s lacrosse career. When Ruby was one of just 148 athletes nationwide invited to the combine, her father made sure she didn’t pass it up. Players are competing opportunity to represent the United States in October’s Brogden Cup. Along the way, they received instruction from current and former professional women’s lacrosse players, measured up in strength and conditioning drills and learned more about wellness during mental health and nutrition seminars.

The NTDP Combine certainly gave Cacioppo plenty of inspiration as she heads toward the end of her high school career.

“Being able to showcase America and wear these colors, it’s amazing,” she said. “It was amazing that you get to wake up, go to breakfast and head right to the field. I also loved the mental health component of it. I took three pages of notes and integrated them into my game. And we got new sticks. I’m not even a field player but I love this stick.”

Cacioppo grew up around the game of lacrosse. With her father’s encouragement, lacrosse became part of her life early in her childhood. She remembered one rainy day when he asked her to step in goal and she never looked back.

Now a sophomore at Manhasset and a Long Island Top Guns club player, Cacioppo dreams of one day making big saves in college lacrosse. For now, she’ll settle on being the best teammate possible.

After the three-day combine concluded, U18 coach Lauren Schwarzmann Skellchock thanked the players for attending and asked for a volunteer to break down the huddle. They asked Cacioppo.

With a “1-2-3, U-S-A,” the combine was closed. Cacioppo had a moment she’ll remember for a long time.

“It was amazing. I wasn’t ready for that,” she said. “I had to stop and make sure everyone knew what I was saying.”

WARD SISTERS UNITE

Lydia and Julia Ward stepped foot on Tierney Field on Monday together — the same way they’ve approached every challenge in their lacrosse careers thus far.

Twin sisters and John Carroll School teammates from Forest Hill, Maryland, the Wards had a stick in their hands by kindergarten and have developed alongside each other. Lydia, the defender, and Julia, the goalie, formed a formidable backyard back line.

“My dad is ripping shots, but I’m taking a few, too,” Lydia Ward said. “If I hit Julia with a shot, it usually ends with an argument.”

“I’m just happy I always have someone to shoot on me,” Julia Ward said.

After Lydia Ward competed with the USA Select U16 team last fall, winning the Brogden Cup against Team Ontario, she immediately wanted to get her sister involved. Julia Ward watched those games from the stands last year and was equally inspired.

When it came time to sign up for a regional tryout, the Ward sisters went together. They advanced to the combine together. They hope the next step is winning the Brogden Cup for the United States. Together.

“Seeing Lydia wear the USA jersey last year, it felt so surreal,” Julia Ward said. “All the people she’s met and all the experiences she got from this program have inspired me to be on the same stage with her and experience it together. There’s nothing like experiencing this with your sister who is also your best friend.”

THE SUMMER OF COOKIE

Kristen Carr has had a busy few weeks, but she’d have it no other way.

Carr, the two-time U.S. national team gold medalist, kicked off her third season of Athletes Unlimited on July 20 at USA Lacrosse headquarters — a testament to her ability to stay in prime shape and compete with players some 13 years younger.

At the same time, she was interviewing for a major opportunity. After Sonia LaMonica left her Towson women’s lacrosse program for Virginia, a vacancy was created just minutes away from where Carr grew up and learned the game of lacrosse.

On July 23, Carr was named the next head coach at Towson — her first head coaching gig and a dream come true.

Carr was back at USA Lacrosse to cap a summer of success by serving as a USA Select U18 coach, evaluating some of the top girls’ lacrosse talent in the country. For someone whose passion for lacrosse continues over a decade after her North Carolina career ended, Carr said she is grateful for every opportunity she’s been granted.

“This summer has been a dream,” Carr said. “I’ve always wanted to be part of something like Athletes Unlimited, and it’s such an honor for me. I can’t wait to attack this opportunity at Towson and take it on. And to end this summer with the National Team Development Program, and to help these girls represent the U.S. across their chest, it’s just been magical.”