Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Leonard and Sanders named to 2017 U.S. National Team
8/8/2016 9:39:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON — A pair of former Northwestern Wildcats have been named to the 2017 U.S. Women's Lacrosse National Team following a three-day tryout at the organization's national team training center in Sparks, Maryland.
Attacker Alyssa Leonard (2014) and defender Spring Sanders (2016) were among 36 players selected to train in the lead-up to the 2017 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Women's World Cup in Guildford, England. The roster will be trimmed to 18 players who will represent the U.S. as the team goes for a third consecutive and eighth overall world title.
Leonard is the program's all-time leader in draw controls with 469 in 88 career games. She helped lead the Wildcats to a pair of national titles in 2011 and 2012 and ultimately became one of the program's top offensive players in her junior and senior campaigns. She finished her career with 92 goals and 26 assists for 118 career points and was named a First-Team IWLCA All-West Region and Second-Team IWLCA All-American following her senior season.
Sanders emerged as one of the elite defenders in the Big Ten and the nation, causing 48 turnovers over her final three seasons at Northwestern. She finished her career with 58 ground balls, 51 caused turnovers and 28 draw controls in 65 career games, helping the Wildcats reach the NCAA Tournament all four years with a pair of championship weekend appearances.
"We're always surprised at who the 36 are, because it's not always the 36 we thought going into the tryout," Team USA coach Ricky Fried said in a press release Sunday. "That speaks volumes to the process and to the coaches and evaluators involved. It's a process that creates great value."
"The athleticism and skills displayed was, as always, at a very high level," Fried said. "What we're more excited about is the ability of our returning players to make our younger players feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves by being here; that it's more meaningful to be a part of a program than just part of a World Cup team."
Fans can follow the U.S. women's national team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine and YouTube at @USLacrosse and using the hashtag #USAWLax.
Attacker Alyssa Leonard (2014) and defender Spring Sanders (2016) were among 36 players selected to train in the lead-up to the 2017 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Women's World Cup in Guildford, England. The roster will be trimmed to 18 players who will represent the U.S. as the team goes for a third consecutive and eighth overall world title.
Leonard is the program's all-time leader in draw controls with 469 in 88 career games. She helped lead the Wildcats to a pair of national titles in 2011 and 2012 and ultimately became one of the program's top offensive players in her junior and senior campaigns. She finished her career with 92 goals and 26 assists for 118 career points and was named a First-Team IWLCA All-West Region and Second-Team IWLCA All-American following her senior season.
Sanders emerged as one of the elite defenders in the Big Ten and the nation, causing 48 turnovers over her final three seasons at Northwestern. She finished her career with 58 ground balls, 51 caused turnovers and 28 draw controls in 65 career games, helping the Wildcats reach the NCAA Tournament all four years with a pair of championship weekend appearances.
"We're always surprised at who the 36 are, because it's not always the 36 we thought going into the tryout," Team USA coach Ricky Fried said in a press release Sunday. "That speaks volumes to the process and to the coaches and evaluators involved. It's a process that creates great value."
"The athleticism and skills displayed was, as always, at a very high level," Fried said. "What we're more excited about is the ability of our returning players to make our younger players feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves by being here; that it's more meaningful to be a part of a program than just part of a World Cup team."
Fans can follow the U.S. women's national team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine and YouTube at @USLacrosse and using the hashtag #USAWLax.
Players Mentioned
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