FREDERICA, Del. — After 122 games on a sunny day at the DE Turf Sports Complex, the playoff brackets have been set in the 13U, 14U and 15U divisions of the 2023 USA Lacrosse Youth Nationals. The event will culminate with the 14U and 15U championship games being carried live on LacrosseTV on Wednesday beginning at 1:30 p.m. (Eastern).
A total of 82 teams with more than 1,500 players coming from 17 states are competing at this year’s USA Lacrosse Youth Nationals, which features some of the top club programs from across the country.
In addition to the on-field action, there are vendors, cool apparel and lifelong memories being made during team tailgates and off-field bonding time.
There was also a star-studded group of lacrosse players for the participating players to meet. Recent USA gold medalists Taylor Cummings and Ally Kennedy, endorsed athletes from Gait Lacrosse, signed autographs and current college stars Rachel Clark and Emma Ward did a demonstration and signed autographs at the STX booth.
“I still have in my room at home pictures of these tournaments,” said Clark, who finished her sophomore year at Virginia this spring and has scored 151 points in her first two college seasons. “I have Jen Adams, I have all these pictures and signatures. When I was little, this was the coolest thing ever. When they come up to me, I’m like, ‘Why, I’m not that cool.’ That they look up to me just brings out my passion for the game even more. It’s so cool. It’s still hard to believe.”
“It’s surreal,” said Ward, who had 94 points for Syracuse this season after missing the previous year due to injury. “I remember sitting and watching demos with Kayla Treanor, Taylor Cummings, Michelle Tumolo and now to be doing it myself. Some of these kids come out and watch to learn from me and Rachel, it’s really cool.”
The young players also have talent and put on some impressive displays on Tuesday.
Advancing to the playoff round in the 13U age group are Aces Elite 2028, Coppermine 2028 Black, Hero’s 2028 Green, Monster Elite Purple, STEPS 2028 White, Urban Elite 2028, Yellow Jackets 2028 Carannante and Yellow Jackets 2028 Maget.
Moving on in the 14U age division are Aces Elite 2027, last year’s 13U champion — Hero’s 2027 Green, LI Jesters 2027 Black, Philly Blast 2027 Courage, STEPS California 2027, STEPS 2027 Navy, Yellow Jackets 2027 Gaghan and Yellow Jackets 2027 Stadler/Grazidei.
Finally, in the 15U bracket, the quarterfinalists are Aces Elite 2026, Alliance National 2026, LI Jesters 2026 Black, STEPS 2026 Blue, Team 180 2026, Tradition 2026, last year’s 14U champion Yellow Jackets 2026 Manning and Yellow Jackets 2026 Torre.
Chasing the championship is part of the experience for these 24 teams, but whether teams are in the playoff bracket or competing in consolation play, it’s the memories from these tournaments that will linger longer than the results.
“Don’t take a moment for granted – don’t look too far into the future,” Ward said. “Enjoy the moment that you’re living now, because pretty soon you’re going to be my age and wishing you were back at this tournament.”
With some of these players having already begun their high school careers, the prospect of college recruiting is also closer to becoming a reality, but Clark says that’s not what they should be focusing on now. Her advice to the players?
“Always to have fun,” Clark said. “I think they need to remember why they started playing. It can be a lot. It can be stressful. It can be overwhelming and get super competitive, but I think if they have fun with their teammates and remember everything works out how it’s supposed to work out, you’re going to end up in the right place. Play lacrosse with heart and because you love it.”
The opportunity to do that begins on Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. with another 53 games to be played. Results, schedules and playoff brackets are available here.
Event partners for the USA Lacrosse Youth Nationals include the Delaware Tourism Office, Enovis (formerly DJO), Gatorade, LacrosseTV, MedStar Health, STEPS Lacrosse and Top of the Bay Sports.
