PLU’s lacrosse team is beating national competition and skyrocketing to new heights. These wins have brought the Women’s Lacrosse team to the threshold of a ranking change. After more than 25 years as a club sport at PLU, Women’s Lacrosse will make their long-awaited debut into the world of varsity in the 2024-2025 sports season.
So why is the move to varsity happening now? One argument is that other varsity sports getting cut opened up resources for the move. Another is that PLU is the last school in the Northwest Conference (NWC) to make women’s lacrosse a varsity sport. Even though these arguments are both well supported, the women’s lacrosse team would also argue it is due to their 12th place national ranking in the 2022-2023 season.
Unlike most college athletic teams, only three to four players on the team have played lacrosse before. For Ella Marchio, Annie Latimer, and Alexie Ann Yam, lacrosse is a new experience. “I found out through a friend and I just joined the team, and now here we are,” said Latimer in an interview.
So, how does a team of athletes with little experience in the sport end the season ranked 12th in the nation? In addition to the top-notch coaching they have received, their success is largely due to this year’s team chemistry.
When Ella Marchio was asked about the team’s chemistry, she said, “Since we connect so well off the field, we really connect on the field.” In addition to their team dynamic, they’ve also developed a strong relationship with their coach, Melanie Rizzotti.
Rizzotti has coached at many different levels but took this job to pursue her goal of growing the sport of lacrosse and empowering women through sports. Rizzotti’s goal appears to be getting closer with the move to varsity and how much her players seem to respond to her. This is her first year coaching at PLU, but both she and her team are ready to tackle any and all challenges head-on.
The move from club to varsity is an exciting achievement, which can also be scary. Not only will there be more eyes watching to see how they perform in this new setting, but they will also be facing tougher competition and larger commitments.
Despite the new challenges, Rizzotti and the PLU women’s lacrosse team are more than ready to take on this new opportunity: “I’m not worried. I genuinely trust my players’ ability and dedication to the sport and you’re not given an opportunity if you’re not ready for it.”
For more updates on Women’s Lacrosse follow them @pluwomenslax.
