A record 90 youth girls’ lacrosse teams are set to compete in the 2022 USA Lacrosse Youth Nationals from July 12-13 at the DE Turf Sports Complex in Frederica, Del. The 90 programs represent club programs from 12 states and will compete in three age groupings — 13U, 14U and 15U.
The event, which dates to 2009, is in its second year of USA Lacrosse partnering with STEPS Lacrosse and Top of the Bay Sports to conduct the activities at the DE Turf Sports Complex. Located just 30 minutes from Delaware’s beaches, DE Turf is the largest all-synthetic sports complex in the Mid Atlantic.
“The 2022 USA Youth Nationals has an amazing field of teams and promises to be a great event showcasing talent from all over the country,” said Charlie Shoulberg, founder and CEO of STEPS Lacrosse. “In the wake of an historic world championship for the United States women’s national team, ideally the USA Youth Nationals inspires the next generation of players to represent the red, white, and blue!”
USA gold medalists Sam Apuzzo (Long Island Top Guns, 2013) and Alice Mercer (CheckHers Elite, 2009) were both championship winners at the USA Lacrosse Youth Nationals, which traces its roots to the US Lacrosse U15 National Championships in 2009.
For the second year in a row, Lax Sports Network will carry the 14U and 15U championship games live with the 14U game scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13 and the 15U game to follow at 3 p.m.
Two champions from 2021 are returning to the tournament field this year. PRIDE 2026 Red (Va.) won the 13U championship last year and moves up to the 14U age bracket this season. Last year’s 14U champion, Yellow Jackets Spallina (N.Y.), will compete in the 15U division.
Both of those teams won nail biters in 2021 with PRIDE 2026 Red defeating Yellow Jackets Manning (N.Y.) 5-4 in overtime while Yellow Jackets Spallina won 5-4 over STEPS Elite 2025 Blue (N.J.) thanks in part to a save on a free position shot with under a minute to play.
Play gets underway on Tuesday, July 12 at 8 a.m. and a total of 135 pool play games are scheduled for the day with each team playing three games. Eight teams from each age group will advance to the quarterfinal round on Wednesday with the remaining teams each playing a consolation game.
Click here for the link to the full schedule.
DJO, Game On mouth guards, Gatorade and MedStar Health are sponsors of the 2022 USA Lacrosse Youth Nationals.
