The first edition of the Maybelline Women’s Lacrosse League took place last week with four teams of 12 players each, competing in sixes action with the Boston Guard taking home the title. Below are are a selection of quotes on the platform of the WLL.
Charlotte North spoke to Olympics.com after the Boston Guard’s title win:
“All those younger girls in the crowd now have a bigger goal in mind, whether it’s playing professionally in the WLL or at the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of sport. To see this version of the game played at this level, I think, is giving fans something to get excited about.”
North also spoke on the stage of the league in the post-game press conference after the title:
“When given this stage and this opportunity, the women are going to put on a show and deliver. The fans are going to be over the top excited because they see their future in front of them, a little bit more tangible than before. That’s really important, we take it very seriously, and we are honored and grateful they come out and support us. To hear them cheering, we feel it on the field, we feel it at every second. That energy was palpable throughout the entire venue, no matter who anyone was cheering for. There was a bunch of young girls out there who just love the game.”
Boston defender Courtney Taylor added similar thoughts in her postgame interview after the title game:
“We’re so happy to win, but it means so much more. When we won, just seeing all the fans just come around us, it really is just so inspiring. Being able to see the future generation — they can look up to us and that can be them one day — to see that today, being on the field and looking up, it gave me the chills.”
Maryland Charm goalkeeper Caylee Waters spoke on how impactful the event was after the team’s last game:
“The game just means a lot on and off the field. This experience has really allowed myself and everyone to connect with what’s out there. It’s brought the crowd to us, it’s really put it in our hands, the impact and influence that we have … win or lose, I’d rather have the opportunity to lose than not play at all.”
New York Charging’s Kylie Ohlmiller remarked how special it was to have the collection of talent on her team after it’s first game:
“We saw everybody’s jerseys around and went, ‘Wait, we’re all on the same team?’ We are surrounded on the Charging by players, if you look up college stats, are ridiculous at their own colleges. So just to be able to see stars like that all in one room and be able to come together and still make a successful product, I think that was a really cool eye-opening moment today.”
California Palms goalkeeper Taylor Moreno shared her gratitude for the event after its conclusion on her Instagram:
“What a ride! Thank you to the @wll and @wllpalms for creating a space for us to grow and inspire the next generation of lacrosse players. This experience was unlike any other and it was a blast getting to compete against some of the best players in the world”
Co-founder and president of the PLL and WLL Paul Rabil joined Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show and gave his thoughts on the WLL:
“Women’s sports, it’s not novel anymore … most importantly it’s a new opportunity for the next generation of young girls who play lacrosse to have these idols and spectacles and memories and experiences watching people like Charlotte North and Ally Mastroianni and Emily Hawryschuk all play at the highest level, win a championship and represent their city.”
