TOWSON, Md. — The rain came and the floodgates opened.

The top-seeded United States unleashed a six-goal barrage in a downpour at Unitas Stadium, turning a slim early margin into a comfortable lead in an 18-3 victory over ninth-seeded Japan in the World Lacrosse Women’s Championship quarterfinals Wednesday night.

The U.S. will play Australia in the first of two nationally televised semifinals Thursday at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2. Canada and England follow at 7 p.m.

TOWSON, Md. — Ever since Jenny Levy named the 18-player roster for the U.S. women’s national team in February, she’s been intentional about how she labels Lizzie Colson.

The 2021 national defender of the year at Maryland, Colson certainly does her fair share of work for the U.S. team on that end of the field. But don’t be mistaken. Colson is a midfielder, and she can do everything your typical midfielder does.

That includes scoring.

TOWSON, Md. — Four years ago, Jenny Levy nearly lost in her debut as head coach of the U.S. women’s national team.

The U.S. trailed then-defending NCAA champion James Madison 9-8 in the USA Lacrosse Fall Classic on Oct. 6, 2018.

That’s when Taylor Cummings took over, scoring four goals and securing 12 draw controls to lead the Americans to a 14-10 victory. Levy thanked Cummings afterward.

Cummings had that look in her eye again Monday.

TOWSON, Md. — Fast. Furious. Both ways the U.S. women’s national team wants to showcase its might during the World Lacrosse Women’s Championship at Towson University.

Both words also happen to make up the name of a movie the players watched during a two-hour, 34-minute weather delay that pushed the official start time to 10:04 p.m. Eastern Saturday night.

TOWSON, Md. – The 14-year-old girl came to the sideline in tears, clutching her arm to cover the bruise. She sought the shade and anonymity of the pop-up canopy behind the bench. Jazmine Smith yanked her back into the sunlight.

“Look at me,” Smith said. “What’s your ‘I am’ affirmation?”

Sobbing, the girl said softly, “I am powerful.”

“Say it again,” Smith said.

Her voice still shaking, the girl replied, “I am powerful.”

This story appears in the May/June edition of USA Lacrosse Magazine. Join our momentum. To purchase tickets to the World Lacrosse Women's World Championship in Towson, Md., head here.

More than 70 players competed in a series of 10 training camps, tryouts and events over the last four years. Eighteen will represent the U.S. in the biggest women’s world championship ever.

The following article appeared in the Southwest version of the April print edition of USA Lacrosse Magazine. Help fuel the future of the sport and have the magazine delivered right to your mailbox by becoming a USA Lacrosse member today.

Coaches in Texas say a USA Lacrosse grant program that provides schools with grants for equipment has opened the game to children.

The following article appeared in the Midwest version of the April print edition of USA Lacrosse Magazine. Help fuel the future of the sport and have the magazine delivered right to your mailbox by becoming a USA Lacrosse member today.

Mark Greaney has become the Johnny Appleseed of lacrosse in Michigan, crisscrossing the state since the fall to spread the game to new communities.

The following article appeared in the Northeast version of the April print edition of USA Lacrosse Magazine. Help fuel the future of the sport and have the magazine delivered right to your mailbox by becoming a USA Lacrosse member today.

Walt Eccles has watched some of the biggest moments in college lacrosse history from inside the Carrier Dome.

The following article appeared in the North Atlantic version of the April print edition of USA Lacrosse Magazine. Help fuel the future of the sport and have the magazine delivered right to your mailbox by becoming a USA Lacrosse member today.

There might not be a more perfect union than Erik Mineo and Shootout for Soldiers.

That’s because the annual charity event, which enters its 10th year in 2022, combines two of his passions — lacrosse and assisting military veterans.