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What people are missing is that this kid tried out made her team AS A DEFENDER. No smart coach is ever going to switch a kid out of their normal position on their whim, to try something new. Try that experiment on another's team's time. Or work on it in the offseason and try out for your team at the new position. Rosters made with a plan in mind, so moving a player, particularly a top player like this girl apparently is, changes a lot. Not necessarily for the better.

She also plays defense for her high school team as well. She also doesn't take draws for her school either so not sure how she broke the draw control record. This hole article is contrived. Maybe a bit of self publicity arranged by the parents.

As a POC and former lacrosse player I have a lot of concerns about this article. I have been in the locker room and experienced similar conversations. But I feel like there is a lot of spin going on. Just not sure if it's coming from the mom or the writer of the article. Since when is having in-earnest conversations with teammates/friends racist? So many people are scared to talk and get to know eachother for fear of offending. Being friends/teammates means those conversations CAN happen. If it's a conversation, not being cornered. If the friend or teammate offends you and is overtly malicious with their comments/conversation, they aren't a friend. If its a bad time to have those conversations, Tell your teammate, "maybe some other time." The way this is scenario is portrayed for the point of the article seems questionable to me. That may or may not be the case. The teammate could also just be young and notIntelligent.

The rest of this story sounds like the same complaints EVERY lacrosse parent has:
"My kid is REALLY good. Why cant she play a different position?"
EVERY kid wants to play a different position. Especially defenders.

What people are missing is that this kid tried out made her team AS A DEFENDER. No smart coach is ever going to switch a kid out of their normal position on their whim, to try something new. Try that experiment on another's team's time. Or work on it in the offseason and try out for your team at the new position. Rosters made with a plan in mind, so moving a player, particularly a top player like this girl apparently is, changes a lot. Not necessarily for the better.

NEWS FLASH: You don't have to take draws to control them. I just watched Griffin's 2021 highlights and there were dozens of draw controls.

Maybe the other Midfielder's on the A team are simply just better? Hmmm

What are you talking about? You have the wrong player, team, and high school. The player in the article plays for Severn

So the Coach of the A team wanted her to play defense but she went to the B team to play mid. Then basically calls out the A coach as a racist for not allowing her to be a mid. Hopping this is the mom and not the player.

I don't get this article? She played defense for the US team, so why is their argument that playing Defense for her Club team racist? When did playing defense become racist? When did getting a red card become racist? Am i missing something?

Everyone knows that - she also plays for M&D Red

This was from the Washington Post so you know the article is configured to fit their narrative on race…even though race has nothing to do with this girls ability to play defense or midfield.

I am referring to the person that said she plays for the #1 team in the country. Last I saw, Severn is not that team.

This was from the Washington Post so you know the article is configured to fit their narrative on race…even though race has nothing to do with this girls ability to play defense or midfield.

Well he is from Westminster

What is so confusing? She played on the #1 high school team in the country last year behind a highly talented senior class and is now getting an opportunity to shine (and, she did in this tournament). Good for her and all players like her who will get more opportunities this spring and beyond. I don't think it is unusual for younger players to step up when given the chance particularly on deep talented teams like NDP, SPSG and MCD.

Well he is from Westminster

I think we have talked about this enough. Sounds like there are a lot of instigators that want to keep this going. Let’s move on.

Theres no one instigating anything. The article doesn’t makes sense, plain & simple. Big guestion is, if she’s good enough to make the US team, WHY is she on red? She’ll be on black this fall, I’m sure.

Theres no one instigating anything. The article doesn’t makes sense, plain & simple. Big guestion is, if she’s good enough to make the US team, WHY is she on red? She’ll be on black this fall, I’m sure.

Why did she leave Uproat and Integrity ? I’ll wait for answers.

Theres no one instigating anything. The article doesn’t makes sense, plain & simple. Big guestion is, if she’s good enough to make the US team, WHY is she on red? She’ll be on black this fall, I’m sure.

Why did she leave Uproat and Integrity ? I’ll wait for answers.

Most the top talent doesn’t try out for the USA development program. Has no relation to actually playing on the USA team later. Brogden cup is like a 3rd rate tournament.

[quote=Anonymous]There is racism (overt or covert), discrimination based upon race (or other factors) and racial bias.


Same goes for all her previous coaches. Her former integrity coach is AA. All future coaches should be scared.

You are fooling yourself if you think top talent is not trying out for the US team-of course the girls want to make the team!

What I find odd is, the number of lacrosse figures sharing this article and giving support. It’s a huge black eye to lacrosse if some of these things are true.

The “we could take over” statement at the end was what did it for me.

I don’t know how this doesn’t hurt her recruiting.

Some in the lax community believe that AA players lack the skill to be attackers or midfielders, therefore, should be defenders. Getting a red card for saying something as common as “I got ball” is outrageous.

You are fooling yourself if you think top talent is not trying out for the US team-of course the girls want to make the team!

You saw this happen ? Kids didn’t pass her the ball cause she couldn’t catch. Happens to lots of players.

The girl dd not start playing until she was in 7th grade. By that age most of her peers have been playing for 8-9 years. So that alone puts her at a disadvantage if she wanted to play mid or attack. So yes she naturally has lower skills and IQ than her peers that have been playing since they were 4 and 5. Add to that she is from PG County which like most counties and states is not a lacrosse hotbed. Her parents probably didn't play lacrosse, so again she did not get exposed to it early. Race had nothing to do with those factors. If you watch her play (Her hudl is probably blowing up) she is fast and can play d but has average skills as a middie. Add to that, she is playing against B level teams. Not hating but this was very strategic by her parents right before recruiting season.

I think certainly getting the attention they were seeking, for sure. Plenty of girls in the same boat. Started playing the game later, other girls havevbetter IQ/Skills. Let’s move on.

AGAIN, the article doesn't make sense! If her parents are the one pushing this narrative, I feel bad for her because is this really going to help her? Or hurt her? Obviously she's a good player so why was the article needed? She clearly isn't missing out on any opportunities, so what was the purpose/objective of this article?

It is the parents and US Lacrosse pushing the agenda.

The mom (who may or may not have any lacrosse experience) is presenting on "diversity in lacrosse" at the US Lax Con.

sounds like a very self serving person and not really interested in "diversity" just wants to get her kid recruited

Ok I just googled her. She has sooo much good PR coming her way.
Great job Mom and Dad!
Kinda reminds me of a few other high schoolers not from the east coast on the circuit right now…
Anyways- these tournaments she entered and made are not cheap! Money grab city! Her parent must make a lot of it.
The USNTDP is expensive to try out, and to make the team. Maybe it’s a little seasoning on my part but you do not need these tournaments to get noticed by coaches- sure it helps, but if your kid has the right stuff, just keep on swimming!
I am just imagining the number of POC of a righteous playing ability, that can’t and don’t enter these tourneys because of cost.

Not hard now a days to find out just about every thing about everybody. Lives in a 1.3mill home. The struggle is real!