SPARKS, Md. — Less than a year ago, Sam Apuzzo made her debut playing with the U.S. women’s senior national team. Still a senior at Boston College at the time, she was a little awestruck.
“I’ve been looking up to the girls on the team for so long, like Katrina (Dowd) and even playing with Kayla (Treanor) is something I never really imagined,” Apuzzo said. “That first training weekend was definitely nerve wracking, but everyone is so nice and welcoming it was a great time for me.”
On Saturday, Apuzzo couldn’t have looked more comfortable.
Apuzzo led the U.S. with five points on a goal and four assists as Team USA downed reigning NCAA champion Maryland 20-7.
This was the fourth appearance with the U.S. team for Apuzzo since making her debut at the President’s Cup in Florida last November.
“After playing a few training weekends with the team I definitely feel like I have more chemistry with the girls,” Apuzzo said. “Everything’s flowing a little bit easier for me.”
Playing in just the first half, Apuzzo’s five points helped propel the U.S. to a 14-goal outburst in the opening 30 minutes. That came after a four-assist effort last night as the U.S. pulled away from Canada for a 16-4 victory.
Kylie Ohlmiller also had another big game for the U.S. squad, pouring in four goals in the opening quarter to stake the U.S. to an 8-1 lead. Kayla Treanor had three goals and Emily Hawryschuk had two goals and two assists.
Last year’s Tewaaraton winner, Megan Taylor, made her debut for the U.S. team playing against her alma mater. Taylor started and played the first half and made a save against limited pressure as the U.S. outshot Maryland 21-5 in the first half. Caylee Waters played the second half in goal for the U.S. and made five saves.
Maryland had seven different goal scorers and Catie May had two assists.
The U.S. team will wrap up its play at the Fall Classic with an exhibition game against Canada on Sunday afternoon using 6-on-6 trial rules from World Lacrosse.
Maryland 12, Canada 8 (Women)
In the opening game of the day, Maryland was boosted by an influx of its strong freshman class — rated No. 1 in the country by Inside Lacrosse — in a 12-8 victory over Canada.
Eight of the Terps’ 12 goals were scored by freshmen, including hat tricks from Shaylan Ahearn and Hannah Leubecker. Senior Brindi Griffin also scored three times and freshman Libby May scored twice.
Maryland got solid goaltending efforts from sophomore Maddie McSally (four saves) and junior Madison Hine (seven saves) — two of the players looking to replace graduated Tewaaraton winner Megan Taylor in goal.
Canada, which fell behind 6-2 early before matching Maryland the rest of the way, was led by Selena Lasota with three goals. Dana Dobbie had eight draw controls to lead Canada to a 16-8 advantage in the category.