Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Lacrosse Embarks on Italian Tour Saturday
9/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The nearly 50 student-athletes, coaches and support staff that make up the 2014-15 Northwestern Women's Lacrosse program are packed and ready to write an exciting chapter in the team's history when the group embarks on its 2014 Italian Tour. The 'Cats depart the U.S. Saturday night and arrive in Milan on Sunday morning, with a packed itinerary awaiting them.
Throughout Northwestern's nine-day journey, fans can expect regular updates and photo galleries on all of the Wildcats' official social media channels: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. There also will be daily recaps of the day's events via NUsports.com.
The trip provides a once-in-a-lifetime setting for NU to begin working toward an 11th consecutive trip to the NCAA semifinals in 2015, with head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller aspiring to lead her program to an eighth national championship in 11 seasons dating to 2005.
A few details on where the Wildcats will roam in Italy:
• After touching down in Milan, the Wildcats will initiate their trip with a drive to the scenic coastal city of Vorno, near Lucca, where they will be hosted at a private Italian villa.
• While in the region, the team will take advantage of their beautiful Tuscan setting by staging daily training and practice routines each morning before enjoying site-seeing opportunities in Lucca, Forte Dei Marmi and eventually historic Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance.
• Following training on Wednesday, Sept. 10, the Wildcats will connect with a local Lucca athletic club to host a youth lacrosse clinic, introducing the fastest game on two feet to a new demographic of Italian youth athletes.
• The next day, Northwestern will move on to the authentic and medieval city of Siena for an overnight stay. From there, the Wildcats will head to Rome and the Vatican to visit some of the world's great cultural treasures, including the Sistine Chapel and the homes of many other Renaissance masterpieces.
Rome also will be the site of the 'Cats' three friendlies against a European All-Star team, with one game each day from Friday, Sept. 12 through Sunday, Sept. 14.
Northwestern will return to the U.S. on Monday, Sept. 15, with a week to spare before the official start of NU's fall quarter classes. The 'Cats will then be set for Fall Ball competition, which opens with a Sept. 28 tilt vs. Ohio State in Indianapolis. See below for Northwestern's complete 2014 fall schedule.
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