U20 Women's Training Roster Feeling the Heat of Training Camp

SPARKS, Md. — With temperatures climbing into the high 80s under a cloudless sky at USA Lacrosse’s Tierney Field, Kelly Amonte Hiller led 32 invitees through the opening session of the U.S. Women’s U20 National Team training camp on Wednesday.

Almost a year after the tryout window began last July at USA Lacrosse headquarters, the coaches shifted their sights from their respective collegiate campaigns toward a second consecutive gold medal run.

“With the Olympics along the horizon, every country is raising the bar,” Amonte Hiller said. “I’m excited for the USA and to just see the depth of talent. … You’re gonna see that from other countries as well, so we’re ready for that challenge. We hope this event will be a great promotion to what’s ahead for our sport.”

More than 8,000 miles away, the conditions in Hong Kong, China — the host site of August 15-24’s World Lacrosse Women’s U20 World Championship — paralleled the mid-June Maryland heat wave.

“This is what it’s going to be like in Hong Kong, so this is a great test for us,” Amonte Hiller said. “We just have to be mindful of it. It’s a good challenge to have to fight through because that’s truly what it’s going to be like in August.”

During the first practice of the three-day camp, the afternoon session incorporated 2-v-2, 4-v-4 and 6-v-6 sets, pitting a pack of the nation’s premier attackers against some of the top young defenders at the college level.

While Wednesday marked the group’s first time reconvening since last October’s USA Lacrosse Fall Classic and several new additions entered the fold, Amonte Hiller said the players quickly clicked and continued forming bonds as the session ran on.

“With this first session, it’s been really cool to see the chemistry,” Amonte Hiller said. “When you’re a great player, a lot of times you just have that instinctiveness to be able to play with other good people. We’re looking for a group of people that can play off each other.”

The stacked field includes seven college national champions and 2024 Tewaaraton Award finalist Madison Taylor (Northwestern). With the expanded age range from 2019’s U19 World Championship, the group spans from incoming college freshman to rising seniors.

Amonte Hiller said being in consideration for the squad fresh out of high school is an achievement in itself, but she’s been impressed by how the players of all ages have interacted with each other.

“[There’s been] just unbelievable energy and effort,” she said. “The athleticism out here is just incredible. We did a great job with this group. They’re really showing love for the game, and that’s what we really want.”

Following a brief warmup period, assistant coach Tim McCormack walked the U.S. hopefuls through an initial passing drill that spanned the field’s entire length. Soon, goalkeepers Francesca Argentieri, Shea Dolce and Julia Suriano faced their fair share of rapid-fire shots on cage.

As a result of the heat, the on-field work centered around high-intensity short intervals, with plenty of breaks in between. Still, highlight-reel theatrics — like a patented Emma LoPinto behind-the-back score — were ever present.

Although each invitee entered training camp with a proven track record from their respective college and high school teams, Amonte Hiller and the coaching staff will invite just 22 players to next month’s camp at Northwestern.

They’re looking to form a final roster capable of bossing the transition game, while maintaining attacking and defensive prowess, Amonte Hiller said.

“When you get to the international stage, everybody plays so differently,” Amonte Hiller said. “You have to be adaptable and ready to do everything. So, that’s what we’re looking [for] with picking the team — people that play well together, but also versatility.”

As she did ahead of the 2019 U19 World Lacrosse World Championship, Amonte Hiller will have her squad face off against an outside group during Thursday night’s session. Taking place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the session will be open to the public at USA Lacrosse headquarters.

“It was such a huge benefit,” Amonte Hiller said of scrimmaging another squad in the buildup to the last cycle’s championships. “It was a really great test for us to have post-collegiate players on the roster — just really unreal players. We’re excited that we can put that group together and see what happens.”