UTICA, N.Y. — The mantra since they first gathered for a player ID camp 16 months ago in this very city has been “Team One.”
Scores of players were part of the team-building process — from player ID camps, training sessions, scrimmages — and every one of those players helped build the foundation that resulted in a 32-3 win over the Netherland at the World Lacrosse Women’s Box Championship, the first official game in program history for the U.S. women in box lacrosse.
The team part was evident — 14 different players scored goals, 17 different players had a point and two goalies combined for 13 saves.
The unique aspect of box lacrosse was also evident.
Melissa Sconone, playing in her first game representing the United States, led the team with eight points on five goals and three assists with four of those goals coming in the first half.
The former North Carolina player who had a big 2024 season as a graduate student at Hofstra made the transition from field lacrosse to box lacrosse like so many of her teammates.
“It was definitely an adjustment,” Sconone said. “You’re not trying to shoot it 100 miles per hour at the goalie. You’re not trying to rip the net. You’re just trying to look for hard placements in the corners.”
Erin Bakes was a member of the 2019 U.S. U19 training team, but this was also her debut in a World Lacrosse championship event. She’s thrived in the box lacrosse environment and Friday was no different. Bakes was a sparkplug all over the field and finished with four goals and three assists.
Goalie Ingrid Boyum has represented her country before, literally. She completed five years of service in the United States Navy after graduating from the Naval Academy in 2018. She got the starting nod on Friday, her first official game since she finished her college career at Navy six years ago. She allowed just one goal while making six saves.
The veterans of the U.S. national team program also made their presence known. Ally Kennedy, Ally Mastroianni and Charlotte North helped lead the U.S. to the 2022 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship in field lacrosse in Towson, Md., two years ago. In the opening game of the box championship, they combined for 13 points with North scoring five goals, Kennedy adding three goals and two assists and Mastroianni chipping in two goals and an assist.
Whether they’re U.S. national team newcomers or veterans they all feel lucky to be in this pioneering role for box lacrosse in the U.S. and the world.
“It’s super special,” Sconone said. “We talk about being a part of it and why we’re here and why we do it. I have a lot of gratitude for the sport.”
Sconone is extra appreciative of the opportunity because she feared that it might be taken away from her. During a training camp in Yonkers, N.Y., in late June, she tweaked her knee and was visibly shaken as she thought it might be an injury that would prevent her from suiting up in the world championship.
“I definitely felt like my life flashed before my eyes a little bit,” Sconone said. “I was blessed that I was okay. I was able to come back and here I am. The coaching staff was supportive and really had my back.”
Now she’s making the most of the opportunity.
And so are her teammates.
