Coach Sue Heether expects the U.S. women's national lacrosse team to strike gold when it faces the world this week.
To begin the team's journey back to the top of the lacrosse world, one that ends with the World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic, Heether brought the players to Baltimore. Earlier this month, the team practiced at Johns Hopkins and Notre Dame Prep.
For six players on the 18-member team (plus six alternates), it was a short trip:
* Amber Falcone (Winters Mill/North Carolina ).
* Michele DeJuliis (Loch Raven/Penn State).
* Acacia Walker (Annapolis/Maryland).
* Katie Chrest (Maryvale Prep/Duke).
* Caitlyn McFadden (Notre Dame Prep/Maryland).
* Megan Huether (Maryvale Prep/Duke).
The U.S. team has won four of the past five World Cups, which are contested every four years. But with former Maryland star Jen Adams leading Australia past the Americans in Annapolis in 2005, Heether is aware of the challenges they face when the World Cup begins Wednesday. One problem is a lack of experience playing at the international level, she said.
"This team has tremendous talent but no World Cup veterans," said Heether, who played on three World Cup championship teams and has been head coach of the national team since 2005. "The biggest challenge they face is butterflies."
Although experience is not one of the team's strengths, Heether points out that chemistry is.
"They are best friends on and off the field," said Heether, who has seen the players work together better on the field because of it. "They know each other's tendencies. Some of the players here have played four years of college lacrosse together."
Walker, of Sherwood Forest, agreed with her coach, saying "this is the most cohesive team I've ever been a part of.
"It rivals many of our college experiences as far as camaraderie; having the same goal bonds us even though we're not together" all of the time, said Walker, a midfielder.
Players all mentioned e-mailing one another and drawing inspiration from Walker's quote book to push them through tough times. One obstacle has been the physical distance among players.
"The biggest challenge has been not being together," said Huether, a goalie from Lutherville.
But Heether, who played at Loyola and was head coach at St. Mary's, expressed confidence in the team's few veterans, especially Glen Arm native DeJuliis.
"She's an unbelievable leader and is going to surprise the world," Heether said.
Heether has no doubt about the talent level of this team.
"We are the strongest team hands down," said Heether, who expects the team's speed and stick talent to make up for its lack of World Cup experience. "Other teams have vets, but they are not as talented as some of our young players."
Although Heether is confident, her players aren't as ready to give opponents bulletin-board material.
"We're just excited to play against awesome competition," DeJuliis said.
