USA Select Girls Sweep Team Ontario to Begin Brogden Cup Play

SPARKS, Md. — The USA Select U16 and U18 girls’ teams had impressive starts in their opening games of the 2024 Brogden Cup tournament Friday morning, recording a pair of decisive wins over Team Ontario.

In the U16 game, Team Ontario scored the first and last goal of the game, but USA dominated in between for a 21-2 victory. Twelve different players scored for USA, led by a game-high four goals from midfielder Kylie Waters and three apiece from Sophia Buffardi and Ava Fossati.

“Usually it takes a little bit of time to mesh with a new group, but it’s not hard with this team,” Fossati said. “The coaches have put good lines together, so it’s really easy. A great group.”

Utilizing five different players in the draw circle, USA Select dominated possession throughout the contest and converted multiple transition opportunities. USA Select finished with a 20-4 advantage in draw controls.

“Our team really works well together, especially the middies, so that’s really helpful,” midfielder and draw specialist Ava Findora said. “This is a cool experience that not too many people get to have, so I’m just trying to enjoy it.”

There’s clear pride in being a member of the Select team and entering the USA pipeline.

“It’s an honor to wear USA and to represent your country in anything, especially when there was such a big group of talented girls who tried out,” Fossati said. “I liked challenging myself to make this team.”

In the U18 contest, the USA had 16 players in the scoring column en route to a 25-0 win. Rocquette Allen (pictured above), a Colorado native who is committed to Syracuse, led all scorers with four goals.

“I love playing with the best of the best,” Allen said. “I’m so grateful to be here. Not everyone gets this same opportunity.”

The lopsided result did not dimmish the experience for the USA players.

“I just want to make the most connections I can and have fun playing with these amazing players,” said Johns Hopkins commit Zoey Smith, a second year member of the Select team. “This is the biggest honor for this age group and a great track for the future. I’m really glad I get to be here.”

The USA Select teams are part of the National Team Development Program (NTDP) at USA Lacrosse. Each year up to 1,500 of the nation’s top high school players participate in the various stages of the NTDP – regional tryouts, national combine and ultimately participating against international competition at the Brogden Cup.

Allen noted that her love of the game is a huge motivator in being part of the NTDP program. Knowing that it could also lead to an opportunity to play in the 2028 Olympics is a bonus.

“My mindset is to get one percent better every day and playing with this group really helps me to improve,” she said. “I love lacrosse and just want to play as long as possible. I would love to go to the Olympics.”

Opening day action continues through the day on Friday, with both USA Select girls’ teams back on the field this evening against the Haudenosaunee Nationals at 7:30 p.m. (U16) and 8:30 p.m. (U18).  Brogden Cup games also continue all-day Saturday and Sunday at USA Lacrosse’s Tierney Field.

Started in 1988 to honor former Johns Hopkins goalie Mac Brogden, who represented the United States in the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, the Brogden Cup originally pitted post-collegiate club players from the United States against Canadian players.

Since 2019, Team Ontario, USA Lacrosse, and the Haudenosaunee Nationals have competed for the Brogden Cup to grow international competition for some of the best youth and high school players in the world.